GB2338908A

GB2338908A - Track racing game

Info

Publication number: GB2338908A
Application number: GB9912704A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Bromham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-30
Filing date: 1999-06-02
Publication date: 2000-01-12
Also published as: GB9813952D0; GB9912704D0

Description

2338908 Track Rac The present invention relates to track racing games.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a track racing game, including a track along the upper surface of which a model vehicle can be driven,- the speed thereof being controlled by user- operated control means, in which the track includes at least one bend at which the surface of the track is higher at the outside of the bend than at the inside thereof, whereby the overturning couple due to centrifugal force on a model vehicle passing round the bend will be at least partly compensated by the inward lean of the vehicle.

The track preferably includes a flat straight section preceding the or each such bend, and includes a transition section which is flat at the end at which it joins the straight flat section, and of the same inclination as the bend at the end, at which it joins the bend, and being of smoothly varying inclination between said ends. The transition section just described may, if wished, be straight.

The track may include a plurality of parallel paths, along each of which paths a different model vehicle is to be driven, the track including at least one bend at which the surface of each path is higher at the outside of the bend than at the inside thereof.

Conveniently, in the vicinity of the bend, the track between the respective paths is inclined less steeply than the paths. Alternatively, the paths and the track therebetween are at the same inclination at the bend.

It is preferred that the model vehicle should be a motor cycle; in this case there is preferably provided, according to anothef aspect of the invention, a transverse inclination control means for the model motor cycle.

Preferably the transverse inclination control means includes a groove extending along the above-mentioned path and a member extending rigidly down from the model motor cycle into the groove to bear against the side walls of the groove, whereby the inclination of the groove walls determines the transverse inclination of the motor cycle on the track. The member just described may be in the f orm of a blade extending into the groove. Conveniently one groove and blade are provided at each side of the or each model motor cycle.

The or each path may include a drive channel in which the wheels of the motor cycle run; such a drive channel preferably has a roughened surface and may be located between the grooves.

At each side of the channel and/or the grooves there may be provided an exposed electrical conductor, through which an electrical power supply may be -fed to and from an electric motor to drive the model vehicle. Preferably two spring loaded collectors on the model vehicle bear one on to each conductor.

The transverse inclination control means of the model motor cycle may be pivoted thereto in the region of the rear wheel hub, about a transverse axis, whereby the motor cycle front wheel may rise from the track under forwards acceleration, the motor cycle pivotting about the rear wheel hub.

An optional lock or control means may be provided to limit or inhibit pivoting of the model motor cycle about the rear wheel hub relative to the inclination control means, to limit or inhibit rise of the front wheel from the track during acceleration.

According to a further aspect of the invention, where the model 'vehicle is a motor cycle, a model rider on the motor cycle may have its head articulated to its body and/or its upper arm articulated to its lower arm and/or to its body, and/or its upper leg articulated to its body and/or its lower leg, whereby to simulate normal movements of a rider of a fullsize motor cycle.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of part of the track of a track racing game, according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective rear view, at enlarged scale, of a model motor cycle and rider on part of the track shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the model motor cycle and rider shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section at enlarged scale along the line IV-IV in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an alternative construction of the track shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is an enlarged rear view of the model motor cycle shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 is an exploded view of part of the model motor cycle shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side elevation of a model motor cycle and rider during an acceleration condition; Figure 9 is an enlarged side view of part of a model motor cycle; Figure 10 is another side view of a model motor cycle showing the drive mechanism thereof; and Figures 11, 12 and 13 show details of construction of a model rider for the model motor cycle.

In Figure 1, part of a track 10 of a track racing game is made of sections 11, 12, 13 connected end-to-end. The sections are conveniently made of wood, wood fibre or plastics material and each section has four parallel paths 14. A model vehicle, each controlled by a respective player, is adapted to run along each path 14. There could be more or less paths 14 if required.

The track 10 in Figure 1 is completed by similar sections 11,12,13 at the unshown right-hand end to complete the loop. More complex layouts of track 10 can be obtained by combining curved and straight sections.

The sections 11 are straight and flat, as seen in Figure 2, which shows one path 14 only. The sections 13 are banked, that is they are higher at the outside of the bend than in the inside. Two forms are shown, in Figures 4 and S. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the paths 14 are each inclined more steeply than the widths of track 15 between the paths 14. Indeed, the widths 15 may be horizontal, if desired. Figure 5 shows a section 13 in which the paths 14 and widths 15 therebetween are all at the same inclination, which arrangement is particularly suitable for racing model cars 16, whereas the track in Figure 4 is more suitable for racing model cycles 17.

The sections 12 of the track 10 are transition sections in which the inclination of the paths 14 increases progressively so as to be aligned at one end with the sections 13 and at the other end with the sections 11. The electrical power is supplied to the vehicles by a power pack 18, which may be battery or mains operated. The power supply is controlled by a separate hand operated controller 19 for each path 14.

As seen in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, each path 14 comprises a central drive channel 20 in which the front and rear wheels 21,22 of the motor cycle 17 run. The channel 20 has a roughened surface to enhance traction of the rear wheel 22. Each side of the channel 20 is a groove 23, which is preferably deep relative to its width, and outside each groove 23 is a metal contact strip 24,25, the contact strips in successive sections 11, 12,13 being electrically coupled. The voltage difference between the contact strips 24,25 of one path is adjusted by one controller 19. Each model motor cycle 17 carries a model rider 26.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the motor cycle 17 is guided along the path 14 and to some extent kept normal relative thereto by blades 27 extending into the grooves 23. Each blade 27 is part of a plastics moulding comprising a neck 28, a block 29 and a pillar 30. Each end of the block 29 is formed with grooves 31 and a tongue 32 which are a sliding fit with ridges 33 and a slot 34 respectively in the upright ends of a metal contact shoe 35. Soft compression springs 36 provide a light contact pressure on the shoe 35. An electrical connector 37 on a cable 38 takes current from the shoe 35 through a headed pin 39 which passes through one spring 36 and the block 29. The tops of the pillars 30 are turned inwardly and pivotted to a -T-shaped member 40. The pillars 30 are pivoted near their centre to the motor cycle structure at the hub 41 of the rear wheel 22, which is driven by a sprocket or pulley 42. The front wheel 21 and handlebars 43 are connected together and pivotted to the motor cycle 17, in the normal way, being guided by the channel 20, so that on corners the wheel 21 and handlebars 43 will turn automatically relative to the motor cycle 17.

When the motor cycle 17 travels along the path 14, the shoes 35 bear lightly against the contact strips 24,25 but the upward force of the springs 36 on the blocks 29 is not sufficient to affect adversely the tractive force of the rear wheel 22 on the channel 20.

Figure 8 shows the model motor cycle 17 under high acceleration, which causes the front wheel to rise from the path 14, simulating a "wheelie" in full size motor cycle racing. This manoeuvre is enabled by the pivotting of the pillars 30, and is adjustably controllable by a compression spring 44 surrounding the threaded Z-shaped member 40 and bearing against a part 45 of the body work of the model motorcycle 17. The spring 44 is adjustable by a nut 46. As the front wheel 21 rises, the spring 44 is compressed as seen in Figures 8 and 9.

A spring loaded releasable lock 60 may be provided to lock the pillars 30 to the bodywork to prevent such "wheelies", if preferred.

Figure 10 shows that the cables 38 feed an electrical supply to an electric motor 47 which drives the rear wheel 22 through reduction level gears 48 and a reduction belt drive 49,50,42.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 show the model rider 26 located on the motor cycle 17. The rider 26 comprises a body 51 to which are articulated upper arms 52, upper legs 53 and a head 54. Lower arms 54 and lower legs 55 are articulated to the upper arms 52 and upper legs 53 respectively. Each hand 56 is pivotted on one end of the handlebars 43, each foot 57 is tucked in a loop 58 and the body 51 is located on a peg 59 on top of the motorcycle 17. The upper arms 52 have flanged spigots 61 retained in shoulder sockets 62. The neck 63 has a part-spherical end 64 engaged in a socket 65 in the body 51. Tension springs 66 act between the body 51'and on extension 67 of the neck 63, to bias the head 54 to & normal position.

The head 54 is typically of solid plastics but the body 51, arms 52,54 and legs 53,55 are preferably hollow for lightness. A length of metal rod may be located in each lower leg 55. Tension springs also join each upper leg 53 to the body 51 and also each upper leg 53 to each lower leg 55. As the front wheel 21 is turned at a corner, the handlebars 43 cause one arm to straighten somewhat, and the other to bend.

Centrifugal force on the head 54 and on the metal rods in the lower legs 55, together with the effect of the various tension springs cause the components of the model rider 26 to assume realistic attitudes, simulating the positions of the corresponding components of a live full size rider during a race. It will be seen that the 4-path track 10 shown in Figure 1 can be used for simultaneous racing of up to four model motor cycles by using the sections 12,13 of the form shown in Figure 4. By substituting sections 12,13 of the form shown in Figure 5, two model motor cars 16 can be raced simultaneously.

Claims

1 A track racing game including a track along the upper surface of which is provided at least one path along which a model vehicle can be driven, the speed thereof being controllable by user-operated control means, in which the track includes at least one bend at which the surface of the track is higher at the outside of the bend than at the inside thereof, whereby the overturning couple due to centrifugal force on a model vehicle passing round the bend will be at least partly compensated by the inward lean of the vehicle, and in which each path includes at least one guidance groove and at least one drive channel, the guidance groove and the drive channel extending along the length of the path.

2. A track racing game according to claim 1 in which the track includes a plurality of said paths, along each of which paths a different model vehicle may be driven, and in which the track between the respective paths is inclined less steeply than the paths in the vicinity of the bend.

3. A track racing game according to claim 1 or 2 in which each path further includes a pair of exposed electrical conductors.

4. A track racing game according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which each path includes a pair of guidance grooves, and a drive channel.

5. A model vehicle for use in a track racing game according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the model vehicle is a motor cycle.

6. A model vehicle according to claim 5 in which the motor cycle is provided with a transverse inclination control means' including at least one member extending rigidly down from the model motor cycle into a guidance groove to bear against the si de walls of the groove.

7. A model vehicle according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 4 in which the motor cycle is provided with a transverse inclination control means including two members each of which extend rigidly down from the model motor cycle into a guidance groove to bear.against the side walls of the groove, the members extending into different guidance grooves.

8. A track racing game and model vehicle according to claim 7 in which each path and the model motor cycle are so configured that the guidance grooves are either side of the drive channel, and the members of the transverse inclination control means extend either side of the main body of the model motor cycle.

9. A model vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the transverse inclination control means is pivoted to the model motor cycle in the region of the rear wheel hub, about a transverse axis, whereby the motor cycle front wheel may rise from the track under forwards acceleration, the motor cycle pivoting about the rear wheel hub.

10. A model vehicle according to claim 9 in which lock or control means are provided to limit or inhibit pivoting of the model motor cycle about the rear wheel hub relative to the inclination control means.

11. A model vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 10 in which the model motor cycle is provided with a model rider which has its head articulated to its body and/or its upper arm articulated to its lower arm and/or to its body, and/or its upper leg articulated to its body and/or its lower leg, whereby to simulate normal movements of a rider of a fullsize motor cycle.

12. A track racing game as claimed and as described with reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.