The present invention relates to a track segment for a toy motorway and in particular a track segment which is suitable for the connection with track segments of the same type of at least two different manufacturers.
Track segments for toy motorways are known from the art for example from DE 3725227 A1.
The invention is based on the object to provide a track segment of the type as mentioned above in such a manner, that a firm and secure connection between the track segments is ensured, which can be provided in a simple manner, and which is detachable in a simple manner as well. Herein, it is a particular object of the present invention to provide a track segment for a toy motorway which is compatible with track segments of identical or similar type of at least one different manufacturer.
The object is solved by the characteristics of the claims.
A track segment according to the invention for a toy motorway particularly comprises two lanes which are arranged symmetric to its longitudinal centre axis, along which respective electric conductor paths are arranged, and furthermore a device for connecting the track segment to other track segments of the same type, wherein, for the connection of the conductor paths, hole-fillet pairs are provided which respectively correspond with each other, and wherein, for the connection of the track segments, at least one hole-pin pair with a fork-like designed pin and a hole which corresponds with the pin are provided, and wherein the pin is designed springy and wherein, by means of the hole-pin-pair, a click-stop device is provided which connects the track segments and which is detachable, and wherein furthermore, for the stabilization and guidance of the connection, at least one hole-fillet pair with a fillet and a hole that corresponds with the fillet is provided. Herein, the fork-like pin is designed integral with the track segment and comprises two oblong, flat and springy arms, at each free end of which one respective hook is formed, and the pin and the hole are designed corresponding in such a manner that, when the pin is completely introduced into the hole, the hooks of the arms protrude from the hole, whereby the click-stop device is provided.
Herein, particularly advantageous, the hole for the pin and the hole for the fillet have approximately the same width and height, so that according to the invention the prerequisite for a compatibility of the track segment, in particular also for a compatibility with identical or similar components of at least one different manufacturer, is achieved.
According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, one hole-pin pair is arranged distributed on both sides beyond the lanes, and one hole-fillet pair is arranged between the lanes. Herein, respectively, the hole of the hole-pin pair is arranged on the one side beyond the lanes, and the pin of the hole-pin pair is arranged on the other side beyond the lanes.
Particularly advantageous, the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention is suitable for the provision of a connection of the track segment with track segments of identical and similar type, in particular when the component is designed to contain a fillet of a compatible track segment with its hole which is arranged beyond the lanes, and further to click with its pin which is arranged beyond the lanes into an according hole of the compatible track segment which is particularly provided by at least one different manufacturer.
According to a variation of the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, a hole-pin pair is arranged between the lanes, and furthermore, a hole-fillet pair is arranged distributed on both sides beyond the lanes, wherein the hole is arranged on the one side beyond the lanes, and the fillet is arranged on the other side beyond the lanes.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, two hole-pin pairs are arranged between the lanes, and one hole-fillet pair is respectively arranged on both sides beyond the lanes, so that the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for a connection of wide track segments.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the track segment further comprises at its sides holes and lugs which are designed to respectively correspond with each other, thus providing a hole-lug pair, and wherein further, a free, also fork-like designed connection pin is provided which corresponds with the hole-lug pair, and wherein the track segment is connectable to a track segment of the same type on according introduction of the connection pin into the hole-lug pair in such a manner that an at least two-lane toy motorway is provided.
Herein, the connection pin is advantageously designed similar as the aforementioned pin for the longitudinal connection of the track segment, and comprises also two oblong and springy designed arms, at each free end of which one respective hook is formed, wherein the pin and the hole and the lug are designed corresponding in such a manner that, on complete introduction of the pin through the lug into the hole, the hooks of the arms protrude from the hole, such that a click-stop device is provided. Herein, the pin has particularly advantageously two respective extensions at its front-end which is positioned adversely to the hooks, the extensions being designed in such a manner that, on the pin being completely introduced into the lug and the hole, the extensions laterally embrace the lug, so that a secure cross connection of the track segment is possible.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the flat designed connection pin comprises a circumferential edge which has a recess at the connection pin's front end and which is interrupted, wherein the connection pin further has a hole at its front end.
By means of the advantageous hole, a multitude of connection pins can for example be retained together at a wire, a string, a key ring, etc.
The advantageous hole further serves to house a connection means such as a screw, by which a track segment can be fixed to a connection pin which is introduced into a hole being located at the track segments' outer edge, wherein the aforementioned recess of the circumferential edge advantageously can house the head of a screw.
Therein, the connection elements for the longitudinal as well as the lateral connection are advantageously arranged and designed in such a manner, that a securely and easily detachable connection between track segments can be provided without any further aids such as metal clamps etc.
Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are mentioned in the subclaims and/or the subsequent description which is accompanied by schematic drawings. Herein shows:
With a track segment according to the invention having the aforementioned features of the mentioned advantageous embodiments of the present invention, a firm and secure connection between track segments of identical or similar type is ensured which can be established in a simple manner, and which is detachable in a simple manner as well.
Suitably and advantageously, a track segment according to the invention is designed in such a manner that it is compatible with track segments of identical or similar type of at least two different manufacturers, so that it can advantageously be used versatile and flexible.
The track segment 10 comprises a device for the connection of the track segment 10 with track segments of identical type, wherein, for the connection of the conductor paths 12, respective hole-fillet pairs 121 are provided. For the provision of a securely and easily provideable and easily detachable connection of the track segments 10, a hole-pin pair 14 is arranged between the lanes 11, and a hole-fillet pair 13 is provided for stabilization and for guidance of the connection which is respectively distributed with its fillet 131 and with its corresponding hole 130 on both sides beyond the lanes.
The fork-like pin 141 of the hole-pin pair 14 is designed integral with the track segment 10 and comprises two oblong, flat and springy arms 142. At the free end of the arms, one respective hook 143 is formed, and the pin 141 and the hole 140 are designed corresponding in such a manner that, when the pin 141 is completely introduced into the hole 140, the hooks 143 of the arms 142 protrude from the hole 140, so that a stable detachable click-stop device is provided.
In contrast to the embodiment of
The embodiment of the present invention of
The embodiment of
In contrast to the embodiment of
Herein, the hole-fillet pair 13 and the pin-pair 14 of the track segment 10 according to the invention is particularly advantageous designed and arranged in such a manner, that the track segment is compatible with a track segment 20 of at least one further manufacturer II, wherein the track segment 10 is suitably designed in such a manner, that it can house a fillet 231 of the compatible track segment 20 with lanes 21 and conductor paths 22 with its hole 114 which is arranged beyond the lanes 11, and that furthermore, the pin 141 which is arranged beyond the lanes 11 can engage into an according hole 230 of the compatible track segment 20 and provides a secure connection of the track segments 10 and 20, which furthermore is provideable in a simple manner and detachable in a simple manner as well.
For this also, naturally, the dimensions of the track segment 10 and its lane 11 with the conductor paths 12, and also of the according hole-fillet pair 13 are particularly compatible with the lanes 21 and the conductor paths 22 and the hole-fillet pair 23 which is arranged between the lanes of the compatible track segment 20.
The track segment 10 of the embodiment of
A track segment 10 of
Herein, the connection pin 16 is advantageously designed similar as the aforementioned pin 141 for the longitudinal connection of the track segment 10, and comprises also two oblong and springy designed arms 161, at each free end of which one respective hook 162 is formed. The pin 16 and the hole 150 and the lug 151 are designed corresponding in such a manner that, on complete introduction of the pin 16 through the lug 151 into the hole 150, the hooks 162 of the arms 161 protrude from the hole 150, such that a click-stop device is provided, which can be provided in a simple manner and which is detachable in a simple manner as well. Herein, the pin 16 has particularly advantageously two respective extensions 163 at its front-end which is positioned adversely to the hooks 162, the extensions being designed in such a manner that, on the pin 16 being completely introduced into the lug 151 and the hole 150, the extensions 163 laterally embrace the lug 151, so that a secure cross connection of the track segment 10 is provided.
Herein, the pin 16 is advantageously designed flat and arranged in a manner such that it does not touch a surface onto which the track segments 10 rest.
By means of the advantageous hole 166, a multitude of connection pins 16 can for example be retained together at a wire, a string, a key ring, etc. in a simple manner.
The advantageous hole 166 further serves to house a connection means such as a screw, by which a track segment 10 can be fixed to a connection pin 16 which is introduced into a lateral hole 150 being located at the track segments outer edge, wherein the aforementioned recess 165 of the circumferential edge 164 advantageously can house the head of a screw.
The track segment according to the invention of
The hole-pin pairs 14 and the hole-lug pair 15 of the embodiment of
The hole-lug pair 15 with the hole 150 and the lug 151 is designed to correspond with the connection pin 16 and cooperates with it in such a manner, that a long-side and lateral side connection of the track segments 10 for an at least two-lane toy racetrack can be provided.
The embodiments of
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
20 2009 010 750.7 | Aug 2009 | DE | national |