TOY VEHICLE AND TRACK SYSTEM

Abstract

A toy track system for a toy vehicle including a plurality of tracks, each of the tracks includes a first vertical connecting member protruding from the first end, a second vertical connecting member protruding from the second end, a first vertical receiving slot provided at the first end, a second vertical receiving slot provided at the second end, a first horizontal connecting member protruding from the first end, a second horizontal connecting member protruding from the second end, a first horizontal receiving slot provided at the first end, and a second horizontal receiving slot provided at the second end.

Claims

1. A toy track system for a toy vehicle comprising: a plurality of tracks wherein each of the plurality of tracks further comprises: a first vertical wall extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end of the track, a second vertical wall extending lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track, wherein the second vertical wall opposes the first vertical wall, a transverse base extending lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track, wherein the transverse base extends from a bottom of the first vertical wall to a bottom of the second vertical wall, a first vertical connecting member protruding from the first vertical wall at the first end of the track, a second vertical connecting member protruding from second vertical wall at the second end of the track, a first vertical receiving slot located on the second vertical wall at the first end of the track, wherein the first vertical receiving slot is adapted to receive the second vertical connecting member of a first adjacent one of the plurality of tracks, a second vertical receiving slot located on the first vertical wall at the second end of the track, wherein the second vertical receiving slot is adapted to receive the first vertical connecting member of a second adjacent one of the plurality of tracks, a first horizontal connecting member protruding from the transverse base at the first end of the track at a position proximate the second vertical wall, a second horizontal connecting member protruding from the transverse base at the second end of the track at a position proximate the first vertical wall, a first horizontal receiving slot located on the transverse base at the first end of the track at a position proximate the first vertical wall adapted to receive the second horizontal connecting member of the first adjacent one of the plurality of tracks, and a second horizontal receiving slot located on the transverse base at the second end of the track at a position proximate the second vertical wall adapted to receive the first horizontal connecting member of the second adjacent one of the plurality of tracks.

2. The toy track system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal connecting member of each of the plurality of tracks further comprises: a first flap body, a first hole located through an entirety of a thickness of the first flap body, wherein the first hole is engageable with a first hook, and a first tab provided at a free end of the first flap body, wherein the first tab is adapted to allow a user to lift the free end of the first flap body away from the transverse base to disengage the first flap body from the first hook; wherein the second horizontal connecting member of each of the plurality of tracks further comprises: a second flap body, a second hole located through an entirety of a thickness of the second flap body, wherein the second hole is engageable with a second hook, and a second tab provided at a free end of the second flap body, wherein the second tab is adapted to allow a user to lift the free end of the second flap body away from the transverse base to disengage the second flap body from the second hook; the first hook located on a lower surface of the transverse base of the corresponding adjacent track; and the second hook located on a lower surface of the transverse base of the corresponding adjacent track.

3. The toy track system of claim 1, wherein the first vertical connecting member and the second vertical connecting member of each of the tracks are identical in shape in size; the first vertical receiving slot and the second vertical receiving slot of each of the tracks are identical in shape and size; the first horizontal connecting member and the second horizontal connecting member of each of the tracks are identical in shape in size; the first horizontal receiving slot and the second horizontal receiving slot of each of the tracks are identical in shape and size.

4. The toy track system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tracks connect to form a loop track assembly.

5. The toy track system of claim 1, wherein the transverse base of each of the plurality of tracks comprise: a first rack further comprising: a first upright side wall, a first flange extending inwards from a top side of the first upright side wall to a direction away from the first vertical wall, and a plurality of first rack teeth disposed on top of the first flange; a second rack transversely spaced apart from the first rack, wherein the second rack further comprising: a second upright side wall, a second flange extending inwards from a top side of the second upright side wall to a direction away from the second vertical wall, and a plurality of second rack teeth disposed on top of the second flange; a first channel, defined by the first upright side wall and the first flange, provided underneath the first flange; a second channel, defined by the second upright side wall and the second flange, provided underneath the second flange; and the toy vehicle further comprising a coupler having a first side which extends into the first channel when the toy vehicle is positioned on the track and a second side which extends into the second channel when the toy vehicle is positioned on the track; wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to cooperate with the coupler such that the coupler is adapted to slide along the first channel and the second channel as the toy vehicle moves along the track and the coupler is adapted to secure the toy vehicle on the track; and wherein both the first rack and the second rack extend lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track for engaging with driving gears at two sides of the toy vehicle to guide the toy vehicle along the track.

6. The toy track system of claim 5, wherein the transverse base of each of the tracks is divided into a first base and a second base by a hollow portion extending lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track and transversely between the first rack and the second rack and further comprising: a first end connector located proximate the first end to connect a bottom of the first rack to a bottom of the second rack; a second end connector located proximate the second end to connect a bottom of the first rack to a bottom of the second rack; a fastener connecting a lower surface of the first base to a lower surface of the second base, located at a middle portion of the track.

7. The toy track system claim 1, further comprising: a pair of identical track end blocks, wherein each of the pair of identical track end blocks further comprise: a base having a first lateral side with a first set of connecting members and a second set of connecting members, wherein the first set of connecting members comprises a plurality of identical truncated wedges spaced equidistance from each other to form a plurality of identical truncated wedge-shaped grooves between two adjacent truncated wedges, wherein each of the truncated wedges has a narrow base and a wide top, with the narrow base connecting with the first lateral side of the base, wherein each of the truncated wedge-shaped grooves corresponds to the truncated wedges in shape and size, wherein the second set of connecting members comprises a plurality of the identical truncated wedges corresponding in number to the truncated wedge-shaped grooves of the first set of connecting members, such that when the pair of track end blocks are connected to each other side by side with a second one of the pair of track end blocks rotated 180 degrees with respect to a first one of the pair of track end blocks, the first set of connecting members of the first one of the pair of track end blocks is engageable with the second set of connecting members of the second one of the pair of track end blocks, and the second set of connecting members of the first one of the pair of track end blocks is engageable with the first set of connecting members of the second one of the pair of track end blocks; a track section supported by the base, wherein the track section further comprises: a first vertical wall extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end of the track section, a second vertical wall extending lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track section, wherein the second vertical wall opposes the first vertical wall, a transverse base extending lengthwise between the first end and the second end of the track section, wherein the transverse base extends from a bottom of the first vertical wall to a bottom of the second vertical wall, a first vertical connecting member protruding from the first vertical wall at the first end of the track section, a first vertical receiving slot located on the second vertical wall at the first end of the track section, wherein the first vertical receiving slot is adapted to receive the second vertical connecting member of a first adjacent one of the plurality of tracks, a first horizontal connecting member protruding from the transverse base at the first end of the track section at a position proximate the second vertical wall, a first horizontal receiving slot located on the transverse base at the first end of the track section at a position proximate the first vertical wall adapted to receive the second horizontal connecting member of the first adjacent one of the plurality of tracks.

8. The toy track system of claim 7, wherein the track section of each of the track end blocks is provided with a toy vehicle entering section at a side of the track section distal from the track end; the toy vehicle entering section comprises a first ramp wall and a second ramp wall opposing the first ramp wall; each of the first ramp wall and the second ramp wall has a taller side connecting to a first track rack and a second track rack of the track section respectively; each of the first track rack and the second track rack has a track rack side wall and a track rack flange extending inwards from a top side of the track rack side wall; the track rack flange of the first track rack tapers outwards towards the taller side of the first ramp wall to connect thereto; the track rack flange of the second track rack tapers outwards towards the taller side of the second ramp wall to connect thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toy track system for a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a top left perspective view of one of the tracks of the toy track system of FIG. 1.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a top right perspective view of the track of FIG. 2.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the track of FIG. 2.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the engagement of two adjacent tracks according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the engagement between the track and one of the driving gears of a toy vehicle according to an embodiment of present invention.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the engagement between adjacent racks, a coupler of the toy vehicle, and a fastener according to an embodiment of present invention.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a track end block of the toy track system of FIG. 1.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating a pair of track end blocks and a connecting track of the toy track system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0065] Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

[0066] In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as above, below, upper, lower, and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0067] Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as generally, substantially, mostly, and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

[0068] An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a toy track system for a toy vehicle. FIGS. 1-9 illustrate an embodiment of the toy track system and the toy vehicle of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the toy track system of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of curved tracks 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e which each connect to at least one adjoining curved track to form a loop track assembly 10, a pair of identical track end blocks 2a, 2b which each connect to one of the two ends of the loop track assembly 10. The track end blocks 2a, 2b, are configured to support the loop track assembly 10 on a planar surface. In this embodiment, the loop track assembly 10 is formed by five curved tracks 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e. However, it should be appreciated that a different number of curved tracks may be included in other embodiments of the loop track assembly. Additionally, track end blocks 2a, 2b may connect to other tracks not shown in the figures to form a closed toy track system.

[0069] Each of the tracks 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e may have identical structures, the details of which will be described in detail herein with reference to at least FIGS. 2-7. Although tracks 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e are identical, track 1b is referenced for clarity, which is adjacent to tracks 1a and 1c. The track 1b may include a first vertical wall 13 extending lengthwise between a first end 11 and a second end 12, which may oppose the first end, of the track 1b, a second vertical wall 14 extending lengthwise between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the track opposite the first vertical wall 13, a transverse base 15 extending lengthwise between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the track 1b and connecting bottoms of the first vertical wall 13 and the second vertical wall 14, a first vertical connecting member 111 protruding from the first vertical wall 13 at the first end 11 of the track 1b, a second vertical connecting member 121 protruding from the second vertical wall 14 at the second end 12 of the track 1b, a first vertical receiving slot 112 provided at the second vertical wall 14 at the first end 11 of the track 1b for receiving the second vertical connecting member 121 of a first adjacent track 1c, a second vertical receiving slot 122 provided at the first vertical wall 13 at the second end 12 of the track 1b for receiving the first vertical connecting member 111 of a second adjacent track 1a, a first horizontal connecting member 113 protruding from the transverse base 15 at the first end 11 of the track 1b at a position near the second vertical wall 14, a second horizontal connecting member 123 protruding from the transverse base 15 at the second end 12 of the track 1b at a position near the first vertical wall 13, a first horizontal receiving slot 114 provided at the transverse base 15 at the first end 11 of the track 1b at a position near the first vertical wall 13 for receiving the second horizontal connecting member 123 of the first adjacent track 1c, and a second horizontal receiving slot 124 provided at the transverse base 15 at the second end 12 of the track 1b at a position near the second vertical wall 14 for receiving the first horizontal connecting member 113 of the second adjacent track 1a. The provision of two types of female/male connections, i.e. a horizontal connection and a vertical connection, at both ends of each of the tracks makes it easier for users to assemble and disassemble the tracks in a track loop assembly.

[0070] In the track 1b, the first horizontal connecting member 113 and the second horizontal connecting member 123 each comprises a flap body 1131, 1231, a hole 1132, 1232 which is engageable with a hook 16 correspondingly provided on a lower surface of the transverse base 15 of the corresponding adjacent track, and a tab 1133, 1233 provided at a free end of the flap body 1131, 1231 for user to lift the free end of the flap body 1131, 1231 away from the transverse base 15 to disengage the flap body 1131, 1231 from the hook 16.

[0071] In the track 1b, the first vertical connecting member 111 and the second vertical connecting member 121 are identical in shape in size; the first vertical receiving slot 112 and the second vertical receiving slot 122 are identical in shape and size; the first horizontal connecting member 113 and the second horizontal connecting member 123 are identical in shape in size; the first horizontal receiving slot 114 and the second horizontal receiving slot 124 are identical in shape and size. In other words, the structures and configurations at the first end 11 of the track 1b are in mirror symmetry to the structures and configurations at the second end 12 of the track 1b.

[0072] In the track 1b, the transverse base 15 is provided with a first rack 17 and a second rack 18 transversely spaced apart from each other and both extending lengthwise between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the track 1b. Each rack engages with a respective driving gear 31 of a toy vehicle 3, which are located at two sides of the toy vehicle 3, to guide movement along the track 1b. The driving mechanism of the toy vehicle 3 is well known in the prior art and is therefore not detailed herein. The first rack 17 has a first upright side wall 171, a first flange 172 extending inwards from a top side of the first upright side wall 171 to a direction away from the first vertical wall 13, and first rack teeth 173 disposed on top of the first flange 172. The second rack 18 has a second upright side wall 181, a second flange 182 extending inwards from a top side of the second upright side wall 181 to a direction away from the second vertical wall 14, and second rack teeth 183 disposed on top of the second flange 182. A first channel 174 defined by the first upright side wall 171 and the first flange 172 is provided underneath the first flange 172. A second channel 184 defined by the second upright side wall 181 and the second flange 182 is provided underneath the second flange 182. The first channel 174 and the second channel 184 are configured to cooperate with a coupler 32 provided at the toy vehicle 3. The coupler 32 has a first side 321 which extends into the first channel 174 and a second side 322 which extends into the second channel 184 such that the coupler 32 slides along the first channel 174 and the second channel 184 as the toy vehicle 3 moves along the track 1b to secure the toy vehicle 3 on the track 1b.

[0073] In the track 1b, the transverse base 15 is divided into a first base 151 and a second base 152 by a hollow portion 153 extending lengthwise between the first end 11 and the second end 12 and transversely between the first rack 17 and the second rack 18. A first end connector 154 is provided at the first end 11 to connect bottoms of the first rack 17 and the second rack 18. A second end connector 155 is provided at the second end 12 to connect the bottoms of the first rack 17 and the second rack 18; a fastener 156 connecting lower surfaces of the first base 151 and the second base 152 is provided at a middle portion of the track 1b to reinforce the alignment of the first base 151 and the second base 152.

[0074] The structure of the pair of identical track end blocks 2a, 2b is described in detail herein with reference to the track end block 2a as shown in FIG. 8. The track end block 2a comprises a track section 21 supported on a base 22. The track section 21 has a first track end 211 having identical structure as that of the first end 11 of the track 1b, including the first vertical connecting member 111 protruding from the first vertical wall 13 for connecting with the second vertical receiving slot 122 of a connecting track 1a, the first vertical receiving slot 112 for connecting with the second vertical connecting member 121 of the connecting track 1a, the first horizontal connecting member 113 protruding from the transverse base 15 at a position near the second vertical wall 14 for connecting with the second horizontal receiving slot 124 of the connecting track 1a, and the first horizontal receiving slot 114 for connecting with the second horizontal connecting member 123 of the connecting track 1a. A first lateral side 221 of the base 22 is provided with a first set of connecting members 23 and a second set of connecting members 24. The first set of connecting members 23 comprises a plurality of identical truncated wedges 231 located equidistance apart from each other to form a plurality of identical truncated wedge-shaped grooves 232 between two adjacent truncated wedges 231. Each of the truncated wedges 231 has a narrow base 2311 and a wide top 2312, with the narrow base 2311 connecting to the first lateral side 221 of the base 22. Each of the truncated wedge-shaped grooves 232 corresponds to the truncated wedges 231 in shape and size. The second set of connecting members 24 comprises a plurality of the identical truncated wedges 241 corresponding in number to the truncated wedge-shaped grooves 232 of the first set of connecting members 23, such that when the pair of track end blocks 2a, 2b are connected with each other side by side with a second one of the pair of track end blocks (i.e. the track end block 2b in FIG. 9) rotated 180 degrees with respect to a first one of the pair of track end blocks (i.e. the track end block 2a in FIG. 9), the first set of connecting members 23 of the first one of the pair of track end blocks 2a is engageable with the second set of connecting members 24 of the second one of the pair of track end blocks 2b, and the second set of connecting members 24 of the first one of the pair of track end blocks 2a is engageable with the first set of connecting members 23 of the second one of the pair of track end blocks 2b.

[0075] The track section 21 of each of the track end blocks 2a, 2b is provided with a toy vehicle entering section 25 at a side of the track section 21 distal from the track end 211. The toy vehicle entering section 25 comprises a first ramp wall 251 and a second ramp wall 252 opposite the first ramp wall 251. Each of the first ramp wall 251 and the second ramp wall 252 has a taller side 2511, 2521 connecting to a first track rack 26 and a second track rack 27 of the track section 21 respectively. Each of the first track rack 26 and the second track rack 27 has a track rack side wall 261, 271 and a track rack flange 262, 272 extending inwards from a top side of the track rack side wall 261, 271. The track rack flange 262 of the first track rack 26 tapers outwards towards the taller side 2511 of the first ramp wall 251 to connect thereto. The track rack flange 272 of the second track rack 27 tapers outwards towards the taller side 2521 of the second ramp wall 252 to connect thereto.

[0076] Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

[0077] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0078] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.