ELEMENT DE STRUCTURE

STRUCTURAL COMPONENT

Abrégé anglais

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
A one-piece structural member in the form of a link
makes it possible to build complete track sections. All
that is required is one type of part, sufficient numbers
of which can be used to produce an open or closed section
by pressing adjacent links together. Care is taken to ensure
that the running surface is of a satisfactory nature in any
arrangement and that the mobility of the parts is fixed.
Laterally arranged legs provide appropriate guidance for
the vehicle both along the straight and around curves.

Revendications

The embodiments of the invention in which an
excluxive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
follows:
1. Link member of a track for freely travelling
toy vehicles, said track having a flat central section
acting as a running surface and comprising, in the vicinity
of said running surface, at one end-face facing the
longitudinal direction of the track, a central, cylindrical,
vertical bridging piece and, at the other end-face, a
cylindrical projection, said members forming, as coupling
elements, with similar adjacent link-members, a detachable
snap fastening, characterized in that:
- formed onto the projection is a flat transverse web
extending outwardly in the direction of the track and
adapted to be supported, at the adjacent link-members, in a
chamber extending, at the underside of the link-members,
below the bridging pieces;
- located to the left and right, at a distance from
said projection, webs are provided each carrying a strip and
extending in the longitudinal direction of the track;
- said webs are adapted to be inserted into recesses with depres-
sions in adjacent link-members, said recesses being formed on the
right and left at equal distances from the bridging pieces;
- upright, hollow guide-legs are arranged at the outer
ends of the central section near the edges of the track,
said guide-legs comprising, as seen in the direction of
travel, an insert-pin on one end-face to the left and right
of the track and, on the other end-face, on both sides, an
insert-opening.
2. A link-member according to claim 1, wherein
the running surface comprises sections provided with
transverse grooves, said sections comprising, as seen in the

longitudinal direction of the track, at one end a point and,
at the other end, a notch, said points engaging in the
notches of adjacent link-members.

Description

6~333S
The present invention relal:es to a l:inl~ mernber of
a track Eor freely travelllng toy vehicles, the traclc having
a Elat central section acting as a running surface and
comprising, in the vicinity. It is -thus a question of
meeting, with only one type of link member, all the
requirements arising during construction of a section. With
a single type of link member, i-t must be possible -to
construct straigh-t sec-tions, curved sections with diEferen-t
radii, bridges, sliyhtly concave and sligh-tly convex
sections, etc
According to German pa-tent application
P 29 46 890~-32, a flexible element is proposed which
comprises, at both ends, locating pieces for incorporation
into a section made out of other elements. There must be an
edge for lateral guidance and openings for the accomodation
of current conductors. This elemen-t is prepared as a whole
and cannot be dismantled. According to German patent
application P 31 32 572.0-15 there exists an element
comprising end pieces for incorporation into another
section. In this case, the flexible part serves to produce
slight curves and sufficient longitudinal displacement is
available to permit a circular section to be closed without
any need for small parts. It is also conceived as an
element to be incorporated as a whole, tools being required
for the separation of individual links.
The invention, however, proposes a single
structural member to meet all requirements. it is the
purpose of the invention to set up any desired section with
a specific number of similar structural members.
According to the present invention, there is
provided a link member of a track for freely travelling toy
vehicles, the track having a flat central section acting as
a running surface and comprising, in the vicinity of the
running surface, at one end-face facing the longitudinal
-- 1 --
' : ' '' ' ' . "" '`": '' ,'"""': ;''' ' : ''' i ' ' ;'

~2~i~3335
direction of -the track, a central, cylindrical, vertical
bridging p:iece and, at the other end-face, a cyl:indrical
projection, the members ~orming, as coupling elements, Witt
similar adjacent link-members, a detachable snap fastening,
characterized in that:
- formed onto the projection is a flat transverse web
extending outwardly in the direction of the trac~ and
adapted to be supported, at the adjacent link-members, in a
chamber extending, at the underside of the link-members,
below the bridging pieces;
- located to the left and right, at a distance from the
projection, webs are provided each carrying a strip and
extending in the longitudinal direction of the track;
- the webs are adapted to be inserted into recesses with depres-
sions in adjacent link-m~ers, the recesses being formed on the
right and left at equal distances from the bridging pieces;
- upright, hollow guide-legs are arranged at the outer
ends of the central section near the edges of the track, the
guide-legs comprising, as seen in the direction of travel,
an insert-pin on one end-face to the left and right of the
: track and, on the other end-face, on both sides, an insert-
opening.
Preferably, the running surface comprises sections
provided with transverse grooves, the sections comprising,
as seen in the lon~itudinal direction of the track, at one
en~ a point and, at the other end, a notch, the points
engaging in the notches of adjacent link-members.
` An element of this kind takes a plurality of
requirements into considerationO It is a simple matter to
connect the members together, the connection being strong
enough to ensure that the structure does not burst open even
in difficult sections such as bridges. This permits
satisfactory construction of overpasses in which case care
is taken to ensure that deflection, sag or bending is not
.. ,, ~. . . .
.: ': :.: , ~

~2~8335
excess:ive, otherwise too rnany membe:rs wou:Lcl be re~ui~ecl for
suppor-t, as a resu:Lt of which the sect:ion would he
compllcated and bridges wi-th wide spans could not be
pxoduced. However, there must be a cer-tain amoun-t of
flexibility to perrnit the construc-tion of bo-th concave and
convex sec-tions. In spite of these comprehensi.ve
requirements, i.t i.s also desirable -to provide for a cer-tain
amount oE longi-tudinal displaceability in order to
facilitate the adaptation of a section. In spite oE this,
however, it must be possible for a chil.d to separate the
individual links without any tools. In the presen-t
invention, separation is not effec-ted merely by moving the
links apar-t, they must be pivoted. This design allows even
a small, waak child to separate the links from each other
quite easily.
It is also necessary that the track surface and
edge strips be as uniform as possible. There must also be
no rattling of the vehicles around curves; instead it must
be possible for them to run smoothly and easily.
Since this link for building sections must be
produced in specific but not unduly small numbers, simple
production must be taken into account. This is accomplished
by means of a concept which eliminates the need for slides
slide-valves, bolts, bars, slide-indices, sleeves in the
tool. It is thus possible to produce many designs of the
link inexpensively, preferably by the injection-moulding
process.
Care must also be taken to ensure that the design
makes it possible to use inexpensive materials. All
critical locations, which might lead to fractures due to the
use of inexpensive material, must be designed to be
sufficiently durable.
Preferably, the link is substantially U-shaped,
the central area being an approximately strai~ht surface
~ i~a
~..'5~ `
~ '; ~ '` . . : ' "
: . ' ~ `'' ' ' ' ` ~ ~` ,' '

~26~;~3S
constitutlng the surface upon whlch the vehicles run. 'I'he
running s~lrface is deE:ined by legs projecting therefrom at:
both ends and serving to guide -the vehicle.
Preferably, the clamps or bridging pieces are
resilient, the dimensions thereof being such as to make
connection oE the links a simple matter. Pivoting the two
parts away from each other not only produces a force
directed ou-twardly, but also pivots the two clamps slightly
away from each other. This pivoting action considerably
facilitates separation of the parts. On the other hand,
there is no inadver-ten-t release of the connection while the
track is in use since, under these circumstances, the clamps
are not opened.
The running surface per se is the entire flat area
located between the legs. However, the dimensions of the
vehicle are such that the distance be-tween the outer edges
of the wheels is somewhat less than that between the legs.
The outer surfaces of the wheels thus contact the running
surface only in the area lying at the side of the legs,
tranverse ridges being the best way to ensure that the tyres
provide a suitably high drive-torque. This also makes it
possible for the vehicles to tackle inclines. Furthermore,
the riged surfaces are interconnected in that a point on one
link engages in a recess in the other link. This ensures
that the vehicles travel at high speed.
Movement out of the flat is limited to a specific
amount. Preferably, the link has a projection on one side
with an underlying reinforcing bead, while a corresponding
recess is arranged on the other side. This ensures
accurately determinable guidance of the links in relation
to each other and, in the case of long bridges, undue
sagging of the track is prevented.
Preferably, the legs arranged laterally of the
running surface comprise, in the central area, a cavity with
-- 4 --
. .~,.
. ;
. .
, . .~ ; -
; ~, ,.. : i :: `
., . . ~

~ ~i83~S
an opening and, outward:ly, a projection. The la-tter can
engage in the cavity, so that satisfactory lateral guidance
is obtained in each condition.
A description now follows wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of
links connected together;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two links, as seen
from above and on one side;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of two links, as seen
from above, on the other side;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of two links, as seen
from below, on one side;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of two links, as seen
from below, on the other side~
The track section according to Fig. 1 shows that,
after elements or links 1' have been joined together, a
satisfactory running surface is obtained and that mobility
is provided not only in the flat but also in space.
Running surface 1 may be seen in Figs. 2 to 4, it
being connected by transverse ridges 2. The elements or
links terminate outwardly in legs 3. Located centrally on
the transverse s~de of each link is a projection 4 which is
defined downwardly and forwardly by flat transverse web 5.
Arranged on the other transverse side are clamps or bridging
pieces with chambers 17 which engage with the projections 4
when the links are united. The bridging pieces 6 are
stabilized by upwardly extending reinforcements 7, SG that
e~en if the material used is not highly resistant to
fracture, longterm use is possible. On each side of
projection 4, Links 1' exhibit projections 8 which are
reinforced in the downward direction by means of a bed or
strip 9. Projections 8 of adjacent links are accommodated
in recesses 10, while beads or strips 9 fit into depressions
11. One end of each section of ridged running surface has a
~ ~?
. . .~ . . ,. -
` ~ ~ . . .

~L26~3335
point 12 while the other end has a notch 13, the polr)t 12 o~
one lin]< fi-t-ting into the notch 12 of the next l:inlc. L,egs 3
de:Eine cavities 1.4 with insert-openings 15. Located on the
other side of inser-t-openings 15 are insert-pins 16 which
engage in the insert-openings 15 in the adjacen-t link.
. ,
:: .: : -
: . ., :

Dessin représentatif