GB2279579A - Toy car track system - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy car track system includes a track made essentially of plastics material, a plurality of toy cars, at least one of said cars having its own power unit and being controllable by remote control, and a remote controller for controlling said at least one remote controllable car. Preferably the track includes side walls to keep the cars on the track. The cars may be provided with rechargeable batteries, which may be recharged without their removal from the cars. The track may be provided with a guide means such as a slot and a car such as a "pace" car may be provided with a lug to co-operate with this slot. The cars may have interchangeable bodies and may include free-spinning horizontal wheels to engage the side walls, to guide the cars out of a collision situation. The track may be in the form of a rollable mat (Fig. 11) on which the walls may be clipped. The remote control (Fig. 7) may include means to reverse the car, and means to effect a 180 DEG turn. <IMAGE>

Description

TOY CAR TRACK SYSTEM This invention relates to a track system for toy cars, particularly one capable of indoor use and more particularly one capable of indoor use within a domestic establishment.

According to the present invention there is provided a toy car track system including a track made essentially of plastics material, a plurality of toy cars, at least one of said cars having its own power unit and being controllable by remote control, and a remote controller for controlling said at least one remote controllable car.

Preferably the track includes integral vertical walls at each side edge of the track.

Preferably the width of the track is from 200 to 400mm, more preferably from 250 to 350mm and most preferably about 300mm.

Preferably the side walls have a height in the range 20 to 50mm, more preferably from 30 to 40mm and most preferably about 35mm.

The track can be provided as a complete made-up unit or alternatively may be formed of connectable and disconnectable track sections. Whether a complete unit or provided in sections, the track may be made in, for instance, an oval shape, somewhat representing a full-size INDYCAR racing track.

Alternatively the track may be provided in a variety of other configurations or, in the case of a track provided in sections, may be assembled into a wide variety of configurations.

The toy car track system according to the present invention is preferably a racing car system.

An essential feature of the present invention is that the toy cars do not receive power provided through the track nor do they receive guidance from the track. The track provides the path of travel for the cars but the cars preferably carry their own power source and therefore the system more closely imitates real motor racing than is the case with known systems in which power is provided to the cars through the track.

Preferably the system includes at least two cars which can be guided by means of remote control arrangements, more preferably using handheld remote controllers. Accordingly it is possible, with a track system in accordance with the present invention, for the "players" to use considerable skill in guiding the vehicles round the track using techniques similar to those used in full-size car racing and employing realistic overtaking and other racing manoeuvres.

By way of example the car/controller arrangement may allow single function or digital control.

Although the system is preferably capable of being used indoors, it can be operated either indoors or outdoors. Such operation can be conducted with complete safety as there is no electrical current provided to, or metal conductors located in, the track. Furthermore the plastic track can be safely left outside (even in the rain) and has potential for large track layouts located in, for instance, a domestic garden.

Preferably the track is provided in a number of sections which may be simply clipped together to form the complete track.

The side walls may be provided as separate pieces to be clipped onto the track itself, or the side walls may be integral with the main body sections. Where the side walls are separate pieces, the track sections may be such that they may be connected side by side to increase the width of the track.

A car track system in accordance with the present invention may be provided with the facility of grid starts with any number of cars in pairs behind each other thereby imitating real Grand Prix racing. As the system does not include power through the track, the number of cars which may be accommodated on the track is variable over a considerable range. The small scale cars will fit comfortably two or three abreast on a 300mm wide track. Timed laps can be used to establish realistic pole and other grid positions in which the cars may be arranged for the start of a race.

Preferably the cars, or indeed other vehicles, are of approximately 1:24 or 1:32 scale and the drive units are battery powered, more preferably employing small rechargeable batteries whether removable from or located permanently in the car (with a plug-in facility).

A preferred system in accordance with the present invention includes cars with rechargeable batteries which may be recharged without removing them from the cars. The entire car may be "plugged in" to a mains powered recharging device. By way of example a pit lane may be provided with the track to simulate pitstops in long races and the car may be plugged into a recharging device located adjacent the pit lane. A booster charge may be employed for quick charging as well as a trickle charge for overnight use.

In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention the system includes "Indy" and/or Formula One style racing cars with front and rear spoilers/outriggers. Alternatively or in addition, the system may include Daytona/Le Mans style racing cars which have bodies extending over the wheels. Such cars preferably incorporate small diameter free spinning wheels at the ends of the spoilers. The wheels are located in a substantially horizontal plane. In the event of a collision these free spinning wheels will tend to engage the track walls so that the car is directed along the track. These spoilers/ outriggers with small diameter horizontal wheels (approximately lOmm diameter) are not for guidance but serve to prevent the cars coming to a standstill against the track walls in the event of a collision.In other words, they serve to keep the race flowing and the cars on a straight line.

Preferably a system in accordance with the present invention includes a speed control switch located on the cars allowing for slow/medium or fast speeds appropriate for different skill levels. For instance, beginners may then commence using the slow speed position for the speed control switch.

Preferably the system is such that the cars are capable of reverse motion, thereby enabling further imitation of a real racing situation after a collision or spin so as to enable them to be manoeuvred back into the race.

Preferably a system in accordance with the present invention includes remote controller devices which are hand held and may, for instance, be of the pistol grip variety. They can be either mains or battery powered, in the latter case utilising rechargeable batteries. Such remote controllers may also incorporate the following features: - ability to operate different short wave frequency signals so that a number can be used together with corresponding cars; - trigger throttle with right hand small steering wheel for directional control; - forward/reverse joystick/button or lever; - extendible aerial/antenna; - electrical connectors such that a number of remote controller handsets can be connected to the mains via a single transformer which itself carries multiple outlets/connections.

A toy car track system in accordance with the present invention may include a "pace car" which will enable a single player to play on his own, racing his own remote controlled car against the pace car. The pace car may be provided with a dependent keel or lug at the front and/or rear of the car which locates into a simple slot provided in the track. Such keels act as runners to guide the car along the slot and thereby follow the racing line around the track. The slot is simply a physical guide and is not provided with means for providing electrical or other power to the pace car. The keel or lug may be permanently attached to provide a dedicated pace car or may be detachably attached in which case the car may be used either as a pace car or a "normal" car. The pace car is remote controlled with onboard rechargeable or other batteries, in the same way as the other cars.However the remote control of the pace car simply controls speed so that it can be set to maintain different speeds depending on the skill level available. An individual can then race his own remote controlled car against the pace car. Typically the pace car slot is very narrow leaving an essentially flush track surface so that the other cars can freely travel over it, without disturbing their stability. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the keel or lug may be capable of pivoting, a feature which may be useful for beginners to develop interim racing skills.

In a further development of the use of pace cars, one or more of the normal cars provided with the system may be arranged so that a detachable keel may be fitted to it to turn it into a pace car. A switch provided on the car and/or on its remote control handset may enable it to be set to a permanent fixed speed for the player to race against using a normal car of the system.

Further features which may be incorporated in a toy car track system in accordance with the present invention include the following:1. An arrangement whereby opposite racing and cross-over racing may be conducted as well as other forms of racing which are not possible on systems in which the cars receive power through the track.

2. The provision of different styles of cars for different types of racing, examples being Indy racing, F1 racing and Daytona, Le Mans and Offroad racing. The system may be provided with obstacles to be inserted into the track.

3. The system may include interchangeable bodies and chassis for the cars. By way of example the system may include four car bodies, two Indy car bodies and two Daytona car bodies, together with two car chassis.

Depending on the type of racing to be conducted the Indy car bodies or the Daytona car bodies may be connected to the chassis.

4. The cars/controllers may be provided with a "spin feature", via a button on the controller, for cars doing a 1800 spin when facing in the wrong direction.

5. The system may be made to any suitable scale reference for instance 1:24 or 1:32.

6. As an alternative to the pace car feature described above, a system in accordance with the present invention may include an option for the pace car simply to run around the outside wall on an oval circuit.

7. A system including a pace car may be such that the pace car has a detachable keel so that, in fact, any car can be used as a pace car.

8. The controllers may be provided with a feature where they may be used with power from the mains or for remote use. A variable speed switch may be provided on the cars for different skill levels and for pace car setting.

9. As indicated above the system may be such that it is equally operable indoors or outdoors, for instance in the garden in the summer and indoors in the winter.

10. Typically, the system will be for racing up to six cars at a time. There is also a potential for using more sophisticated "digital proportional remote control cars".

11. The system may be provided with track sections which can be used to make up jumps and chicanes as well as other features which add interest to the racing.

Alternatively separate sections may be provided which are intended to connect to the existing sections so that together they provide these particular features.

12. Typically the track radius curves may be designed to coincide with the turning circle of the cars for ease of operation.

13. For easy assembly, the system may provide a track in the form of a roll of rubber sheet with fixing details for plastic strips to form the side walls. The rubber sheets may be joined together for larger layouts.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a track for use with a toy car track system of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 1: Figure 3 is an underside plan of a section of the track of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a car for use with the toy car track system of the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of a chassis part of a car for use with a toy car track system of the present invention; Figure 6 is a front view of the car of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows the remote controller for a car for use with a toy car track system of the present invention; Figure 8 is a transverse section of a second embodiment of a track for use with a toy car system of the present invention;; Figure 9 is a partial plan view of the track of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a connection piece for use with the track of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a track for use with a toy car track system of the present invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a track for use with a toy car track system of the present invention; and Figure 13 shows a part section through the track of Figure 12.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a toy car track system in accordance with the present invention includes a track 1 formed from 32 pieces or sections 3 made of plastics material. Each section 3 is connected to two adjacent sections, the connections being provided by male and female connecting elements located in the track walls (not shown) so that together the 32 sections form a continuous oval track with a smooth and rigid upper surface. Each section 3 has a length of about 300mm and a similar width. The overall outside track length is approximately 10,450mm and the track will fit within a space of approximately 4,250mm by 1800mm.

It will be appreciated that tracks of different shapes and sizes may be formed from sections 3 but in each case the track width will remain at 300mm and, as is clear from the above mentioned dimensions, it is possible to make up reasonable track sizes within very small spaces. Conveniently a track domestic rooms. In other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the track widths may be smaller or greater than 300mm.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, a track section 3 is formed of a single piece of plastics material and includes a track section base 5 providing a grained upper surface 7 and a lower surface from which extend downwardly integral ribs or webs 9 giving the track section good rigidity. Each rib or web 9 is approximately 1.5 mm thick and about 7.5mm deep. The approximate thickness of the base 5 is less than 2mm, and in this case is 1.5mm.

Track section 3 is provided with integral side walls 11 each of which is formed of a double thickness of plastic with a small gap or space therebetween. The inner surface 13 of side wall 11 is smooth. The outer part 15 of wall 11 extends downwardly below the base 7 terminating at the level of the bottom of ribs or webs 9. Accordingly the track section is supported on a combination of ribs or webs 9 and the lower part of side walls 11. The upper part of side walls 11 is in the form of a thin horizontal section 17.

The inner height of side walls 11 is 35mm and the outer height, and overall height of the track section 3 is about 42.5mm.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing it will be seen that one straight length of the oval track is provided with a pit lane (or gasoline alley) portion 19 which extends along substantially the length of this straight portion of track on that side of the main track closer to the opposite straight portion of track. Pit lane 19 is bounded along its inner edge by wall 21 which connects to the main wall 11 of the track. It is also bounded by wall 23 which separates the pit lane from the main part of the track and gaps 25 and 27 at each end of the pit lane allow cars to enter the pit lane.

Track 1 is also provided with a slot 31, the location of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and which extends around the whole of the track and provides a location slot for the dependent lug of a pace car (to be further described below).

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a car 41 is for use with a toy car track system of the present invention and includes a detachable body shell 43 which is interchangeable with other body shells provided with the system. For instance the body shells may be of the Formula One, Indy, Daytona or Le Mans type. They may be connected to the body chassis by means of a clip-on or screw fixing (not shown). Car 41 includes a detachable keel or lug 45 which, when attached to the car, allows the car to be used as a pace car by locating keel 45 within slot 31 of the track 1.

Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings shows a body chassis 51 to which may be attached any of the body shells referred to above. The body chassis also carries the detachable lug 53 and, at the rear of the chassis, there is provided a two or three position speed switch 55 associated with the gearing of the car. Also attached to chassis 51 is a remote control aerial 57.

Figure 6 is a front view of the car of Figure 4 and showing the keel or lug 45 located in position within slot 31 of track 1.

Referring to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings a handheld remote controller 71 is connected by means of a detachable or optional lead 73 to a transformer 75 which itself is attachable to mains power. The body of controller 71 includes a hand or pistol grip 77 and a steering wheel 79 which may be rotated to control the direction of movement of the car. The controller 71 also carries a forward/reverse button or lever 81 and a "spin" button 83 operation of which causes the car to undertake a 1800 spin. In addition the controller 71 carries a trigger throttle 85 providing a go/stop facility.

Extending from the body of controller 71 is an extendible aerial 87.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings, an alternative embodiment of track for use with a toy car track system of the present invention includes track pieces 91 which are in the form of rectangular plastic boards which may be connected together both longitudinally and transversally to form tracks of any length and any width. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, track sections 91 may be entirely planar on the upper surface. An alternative track section 93 includes a pace car slot 95 similar to that described above in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

Along the underside of one longitudinal edge of each track section, the section is shaped so as to receive flange 97 of a "clip-on" track wall 99. The assembly of track sections 91 and 93 and walls 99 is held together by means of troughsection interconnecting cover pieces 101, each of which extends under the track sections 91 and 93 across the width thereof and about the outside of walls 99, inwardly projecting flanges 103 engaging the top edges of walls 99. As illustrated in Figure 8 the track assembly also includes a central track clip 105 which joins together sections 91 and 93.

Referring now to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings, a further embodiment of a track 1 for use with a toy car track system of the present invention includes a rubber mat 111.

Mat 111 may be stored in a rolled up condition and then rolled out flat for use. The system includes plastic walls 113, provided in sectional lengths which may be attached to the plastic mat to form a track as shown in Figure 11. The walls 113 may be connected to the mat by means of "push through" fixings 115 in the form of holding clips which engage with the mat and the walls.

Referring to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings, a further embodiment of a track for use with a toy car track system in accordance with the present invention includes four rubber mats 121 which are joined together, as indicated in Figure 12, to form a base for a track layout. Each mat 121 may be of the same size (for instance 3m x 1.5m) as the mat of Figure 11 so that the total area of the track base of Figure 12 is four times that of Figure 11. The rubber mats 121 may be joined together with velcro or tape fastenings 123 located on the underside of the mat edges (see Figure 13). Connection clips 125 may alternatively or additionally be provided.

Claims (12)

1. A toy car track system including a track made essentially of plastics material, a plurality of toy cars, at least one of said cars having its own power unit and being controllable by a remote control, and a remote controller for controlling said at least one remote controllable car.

2. A toy car track system in which the track includes side walls.

3. A toy car track system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the track is formed of track sections which may be connected together to form the track.

4. A toy car track system according to any of the preceding claims in which the cars are provided with rechargeable batteries.

5. A toy car track system according to Claim 4 in which the batteries may be recharged without removing them from the cars.

6. A toy car track system according to any of the preceding claims in which the track is provided with means defining a path of travel around the track and at least one car is provided with engagement means for engaging with said track guide means so that said car will follow a predetermined path of travel around the track.

7. A toy car track system according to Claim 6 in which the guide means are in the form of a slot and the engagement means are in the form of a dependent lug.

8. A toy car track system according to any of the preceding claims in which the track is formed from track sections each of which is made of a single piece of plastics material including substantially channel section side walls.

9. A toy car track system according to Claim 8 in which each track section is provided with integral reinforcing ribs extending across the underside of the section.

10. A toy car track system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the system includes at least one car chassis and at least two car bodies, each car body being attachable to, and detachable from, the car chassis.

11. A toy car track system according to Claim 1 and substantially as described herein.

12. A toy car track system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.