GB2268417A - Toy track system - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy track system has a base plate (1), in the surface of which are provided a plurality of intersecting slots (2). Guides (5,9,10) fit into the intersecting slots at their point of intersection to enable a track circuit for a vehicle to be defined by the slots and guides. The guides have a plurality of arms, to fit within the slots, and a curved quadrant shaped to rest on the board, and curved to alter the direction of the toy vehicle when the vehicle engages with the quadrant (see Figs 2A - 2C). <IMAGE>

Description

TRACK SYSTEM The present invention relates to a track system and, more particularly, to a track system for guiding a self propelled toy vehicle around a base.

Many different types of track system exist. For example, model railway and model car racing circuits have been available for many years. Generally, these systems provide a series of standard track sections which are then connected together to form a track circuit. These systems are, however, too complex for small children to construct and operate without help.

In addition, this type of system, unless a large number of track sections of varying length and curvature are bought, can provide only a limited selection of circuit combinations.

The present invention has, as one object, the provision of a system which allows the user to select a track circuit of his or her own design using a small number of basic components.

According to the present invention there is provided a track system having a base plate, in the surface of which are provided a plurality of intersecting slots; and, guides which fit into the intersecting slots at their point of intersection to enable a track circuit to be defined by the slots and guides.

According to the present invention there is also provided a guide for a toy vehicle, the guide having: a plurality of arms, shaped to fit within slots in the surface of a board; and a curved quadrant, shaped to rest on the surface of a board, and curved to alter the direction of a toy vehicle when the vehicle engages with it.

European Patent Application no: 91303945.7 discloses a play system for small children comprising a base plate having slots in its surface and a container for insertion into the slots to form a construction similar to a doll's house or the like. This toy system is designed generally for use by girls, and it is considered that whilst it is desirable for a similar expandable toy system for boys to be provided, such a system requires moving components for it to be of interest to them. The present invention thus enables a similar base to that used in the previous application to be utilised for a boy's toy without the need for expensive new manufacturing processes to be developed.

Preferably, the base plate is generally rectangular and has .plural sets of slots arranged orthogonally, parallel to the sides of the base plate. The base plate may include complementary coupling parts whereby two or more base plates may be connected together in a plane to provide a larger base area.

The guide quadrant may be shaped so as to alter the direction of the vehicle when it engages with the guide.

Diversion or the direction in which the vehicle is diverted may be dependent on the direction from which the vehicle approaches the guide. The quadrant may have a sloped surface.

The intersections of slots are shaped so as to allow the vehicle to pass through the intersections without change of direction unless a guide is present.

Self propelled vehicles representing trains, cars or the like, may have guide tongues on their bases to retain the vehicle within the track defined by the slots in the base.

One example of a track system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the base plate with a guide fitted and a toy vehicle in position; Fig. 2A to 2C show examples of different types of guides; and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of a track layout defined by a board and guides.

A base plate 1 has on its surface a plurality of slots 2. The slots are divided into two sets, each set being arranged orthogonally to the other and parallel to the sides of the base 1.

A toy vehicle 3 is provided for use on the base, the vehicle having a downwardly projecting swivellable tongue 4 on its base, which tongue 4 can be slidably engaged with the slots 2. The vehicle is driven by an internal clockwork motor or battery powered internal electric motor or the like.

Guides 5 fit into the intersection of the slots 2. A simple guide 5 consists of two arms 6,7 set at right angles to each other, each arm 6,7 having a sloped upper edge, the edge rising towards the connecting point of the two arms.

Attached integrally to the connecting point of the arms 6, 7 is a curved quadrant 8, the quadrant 8 having a sloped surface, sloping downwards towards the outside of the curve. When in position, the arms 6,7 sit within the slots 2 and the underside of the quadrant 8 rests on the surface of the board 1.

When a vehicle approaches the guide 5, the tongue 4 engages with one of the arms 7, which acts as a ramp, lifting the front wheels of the vehicle 3 away from the surface of the board 1. The tongue 4 then follows the curve of the inside edge of the quadrant, turning the vehicle through 900. The tongue then runs down the other arm into the appropriate new groove, at the same time lowering the front wheels of the vehicle back onto the base. The smooth top surface of the quadrant enables the rear wheels of the vehicle to continue driving even though they may run over it.

Other more complex guides 9,10 have three arms, two set at 1800 to each other and the other at 900 to the first two arms. Again, the arms are sloped on their upper edge, the edge sloping upwards towards the central connecting point of the three arms. The quadrant is shaped as with the simple guide example, but has a slot 11 running through it in the direction of the two arms set at 1800. When in position in the board 1, as before, the guide will turn the vehicle through 900 when approached from one direction, but from directions at right angles, the vehicle will pass straight over the guide without being turned since the tongue 4 remains within the straight slot 11.

Set in the sides of the board 1 are holes 12 so that separate boards 1 can be connected together by clips or bolts to form a larger surface area, thus expanding the number of possible track combinations.

Other possible guides have two quadrants fixed back to back over four arms to define two turning curves, or may have two quadrants positioned over three arms to direct vehicles from two opposite directions into a single direction.

Another example of the invention may have a vehicle with a retractable or spring loaded tongue and may have shallow grooves in the curved quadrants to retain the tongue (and the train) within the track when it is turned through a tight curve.

When used in combination, the guides can define a very large number of track circuits. Part of a track circuit or layout can be seen in Figure 3.

Claims (8)

1. A track system having a base plate, in the surface of which are provided a plurality of intersecting slots; and, guides which fit into the intersecting slots at their point of intersection to enable a track circuit for a vehicle to be defined by the slots and guides.

2. A track system according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is generally rectangular and has plural sets of slots arranged orthogonally, parallel to the sides of the base plate.

3. A track system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base plate includes complementary coupling parts whereby two or more base plates may be connected together in a plane to provide a larger base area.

4. A track system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intersections of slots are shaped so as to allow a vehicle to pass through the intersections without change of direction unless a guide is present.

5. A track system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the guides is configured such that the direction in which a vehicle is diverted is dependent on the direction from which the vehicle approaches the guide.

6. A guide for a toy vehicle, the guide having: a plurality of arms, shaped to fit within slots in the surface of a board; and a curved quadrant, shaped to rest on the surface of a board, and curved to alter the direction of a toy vehicle when the vehicle engages with it.

7. A guide according to claim 6, wherein the quadrant has a sloped top surface.

8. A track system according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.