CA1056864A - Vehicle racing game apparatus - Google Patents
Vehicle racing game apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1056864A CA1056864A CA260,360A CA260360A CA1056864A CA 1056864 A CA1056864 A CA 1056864A CA 260360 A CA260360 A CA 260360A CA 1056864 A CA1056864 A CA 1056864A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- arm
- slot
- running surface
- free end
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Automatic Assembly (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A toy vehicle racing games comprising two side-by-side tracks form a closed loop having a curve at each end; the tracks support vehicles each of which moves around the closed loop as a result of impulses supplied to it by a vehicle-propulsion device located entirely within one of the curves for manual operation by a child user.
Description
56~369~ :
The present invention pertains generally to the field of vehicle racing games and more particularly to a new and useful propulsion system for propelling toy vehicles around a continuous track forming a closed loop.
Accordingly, the present invention is for use with a track defining a path~of-travel for a freely rolling toy vehicle, the track including a flat, recessed running surface and upstanding guide walls at .
each edge thereof~ The invention broadly resides in apparatus for accelerating a freely rolling toy vehicle along the path comprising: a slot in one of said guide walls, said slot having a first portion lying . ~.
in a plane above said flat running surface substantially parallel thereto and a second portion curving downwardly from said first portion to a plane approximately coinciding with the plane of said flat running surface; a cavity in said running surface adjacent the second portion of said slot; an arm riding in said slot for engaging said vehicle to impart an accelerating force thereto, said arm having a first end and a free end, said free end extending over saicl running surface; a depending, vehicle-engaging member carried by said fre!e end of said arm and nor-mally resting in said cavity below said running surface a sufficient ~ :
distance to permit a vehicle to pass over qaid free end of said lever; a pivot post mounted in said housing, said first end of said arm being :: :
rotatably unted on said pivot post; and means connected to said first : ::
end of said arm for swinging said arm about said pivot post, whereby said free end is moved from said plane of said flat running surface, up :
:~
: said second portion of said slot and along said first portion of said :~
slot, said first portlon of said slot, said free end of said arm and said engaging member being so designed and arranged with respect to the height of said vehicle that said engaging member will engage said vehicle.
. The features of the present invention which are believed to be a :~ " ''''~' ~ ::.. . :
':,, :' iL~31S686~
novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be under-stood by reference to the following description, taken in connection ~::
with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, - -: ~: : .- :
: :
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Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle racing game apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the presen~ invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged, partial plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing a propulsion device located entirely within one of the curves shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 (second sheet of drawings) is an enlarged perspective view of the central portion of the propulsion device shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of Pigure S; . ;:
Figure 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along ~;
line 7 - 7 of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a propulsion devlce constituting a second ~ ~ .
embodiment of the present invention; :
Figure 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional vîew taken along line 9 - 9 of Figure 8; -~.
Figure 10 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line lO - 10 of Figure 9; and :- .
Figure 11 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 11 - 11 of Figure 8. ;~::
Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, ~:
a vehicle racing game apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the present ::
: invPntion, generally designated lO, may be positioned on the floor of a child~
user's room or other suitable supporting surface generally designated 12.
The vehicle racing game apparatus 10 may have a plurality of indivi-dual, side-by-side tracks upon which a plurality of toy vehicles may be run.
The apparatus is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limita- -tion, as comprising two side-by-side tracks 14, 16 forming a closed loop 18 hav- ~
' .
The present invention pertains generally to the field of vehicle racing games and more particularly to a new and useful propulsion system for propelling toy vehicles around a continuous track forming a closed loop.
Accordingly, the present invention is for use with a track defining a path~of-travel for a freely rolling toy vehicle, the track including a flat, recessed running surface and upstanding guide walls at .
each edge thereof~ The invention broadly resides in apparatus for accelerating a freely rolling toy vehicle along the path comprising: a slot in one of said guide walls, said slot having a first portion lying . ~.
in a plane above said flat running surface substantially parallel thereto and a second portion curving downwardly from said first portion to a plane approximately coinciding with the plane of said flat running surface; a cavity in said running surface adjacent the second portion of said slot; an arm riding in said slot for engaging said vehicle to impart an accelerating force thereto, said arm having a first end and a free end, said free end extending over saicl running surface; a depending, vehicle-engaging member carried by said fre!e end of said arm and nor-mally resting in said cavity below said running surface a sufficient ~ :
distance to permit a vehicle to pass over qaid free end of said lever; a pivot post mounted in said housing, said first end of said arm being :: :
rotatably unted on said pivot post; and means connected to said first : ::
end of said arm for swinging said arm about said pivot post, whereby said free end is moved from said plane of said flat running surface, up :
:~
: said second portion of said slot and along said first portion of said :~
slot, said first portlon of said slot, said free end of said arm and said engaging member being so designed and arranged with respect to the height of said vehicle that said engaging member will engage said vehicle.
. The features of the present invention which are believed to be a :~ " ''''~' ~ ::.. . :
':,, :' iL~31S686~
novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be under-stood by reference to the following description, taken in connection ~::
with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, - -: ~: : .- :
: :
,:: : ;
, : ' ~ : - ..... , ~: - la - :
.
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Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle racing game apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the presen~ invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged, partial plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing a propulsion device located entirely within one of the curves shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 (second sheet of drawings) is an enlarged perspective view of the central portion of the propulsion device shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of Pigure S; . ;:
Figure 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along ~;
line 7 - 7 of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a propulsion devlce constituting a second ~ ~ .
embodiment of the present invention; :
Figure 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional vîew taken along line 9 - 9 of Figure 8; -~.
Figure 10 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line lO - 10 of Figure 9; and :- .
Figure 11 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line 11 - 11 of Figure 8. ;~::
Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, ~:
a vehicle racing game apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the present ::
: invPntion, generally designated lO, may be positioned on the floor of a child~
user's room or other suitable supporting surface generally designated 12.
The vehicle racing game apparatus 10 may have a plurality of indivi-dual, side-by-side tracks upon which a plurality of toy vehicles may be run.
The apparatus is shown herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limita- -tion, as comprising two side-by-side tracks 14, 16 forming a closed loop 18 hav- ~
' .
- 2 _ ~. .. ..
1~:3568~i4 ing a first curve 20 at one end and a second curve 22 at the other end.
Tracks 14, 16 support toy vehicles 24, 26J respectively, each of which moves around the closed loop 18 as a result of impulses applied to it by a vehicle-propulslon device 28 located entirely within curve 22 for manual operation by a child user.
The tracks 14, 16 include first track sections 30, 32 each having an upstream end 34 connected to the downstream end 36 of curve 20 and a downs~ream end 38 connected to the upstream end 40 of curve 22. Each track section 30, 32 includes a flat running surface 42 at each edge of which is an upstanding guide wall 44 adapted to guide vehicles 24, 26 along track sections 30, 32, respectively. Track sections 30, 32 may be extruded from a softJ pliable plas-tic material and may be supported intermediate their ends by a suitable block 46 to elevate the midportion of track sections 30, 32 above surface 12 to create dips in the track setions. Tracks 14, 16 also include track sections 48, S0 each having a downstream end 52 connected to the upstream end 54 of curve 20 and an upstream end 56 connected ~o lthe downstream end 58 of curve 22.
The ~rack sections 48, 50 each also have a flat running surface 60 and upstand-ing guide walls 62.
Curvc 20 includes a first banked section 64 forming part of track 14 and a second banked section 66 forming part of track 16. A simulated crash-barrier 68 ~ay be provided on the end of curve 20 and may be made from card_ board, plastic or the like. Barrier 68 may be decorated with simulated flags 70, if desired. Additionally, a simulated observers stand 72 may be placed upon surface 12 adjacent curve 20.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, curve 22 includes a housing 74 having a top wall 76, an encompassing, depending side wall 78 and an open bot-tom 80. Top wall 76 forms a running surface for cars 24, 26 and is divided into lanes 82, 84 by upstanding guide walls 86, 88 and 90. Ends 38 of track sections 30, 32 are connected to housing 74 by connecting tabs 92, 94, respec-tively and ends 56 of track sections 48, 50 are connected to housing 74 by tabs ~L0568G4 96, 98, respectively.
Propulsion device 28 includes a first vehicle-engaging member 100 disposed in an arcuate slot 102 provided in top wall 76 between guide walls 88, 90 and having an upstream end 104 curving inwzrdly from lane 84, through an opening 106 in guide wall 90 to a posi.tion out of the path-of-travel of vehicle 24 as it moves onto the upstream end 40 of curve 22. Vehicle-engaging member 100 is normally maintained at end 104 of slot 102 by a structure to be hereinafter described. This structure is connected to an operating lever 108 which is swingably moun~ed on housing 74 by a pin 110 for moving member 100 from the normal position shown in Figure 1 in~o the path-of-travel of vehicle 24 when lever 108 is swung in the direction of arrow 112 ~Figure 1).
Propulsion device 28 also includes a second vehicle-engaging member ~-114 located within a second arcuate slot 116 having an upstream end 118 ex-tending through an opening 120 in guide wall 86 adjacent upstream end 40 of ~ -curve 22. Member 114 may be moved from the yosition shown in Figure 1 to th~ -:. :
position shown in broken lines in Figure 2 for engagementwith vehicle 26 by swinging a lever 122 in the direction of arrow 124. Lever 122 is swingably mounted on housing 74 by a pin 126 carried by a bracket 128.
Referring now to Figures 3 - 7, vehicle-engaging member 100 includes -~
- . .
an upstanding post 130 (Figure 6) having a bushing 132 provided at its lower end, a first washer 134 provided on top of bushing 132 and a second washer 136 spaced above washer 134 for trapping post 130 in slot 102, Post 130 may be .
covered with an elas~omeric bumpex 138 for absorbing energy when member 100 ~ ~
~...... .
engages vehicle 24 to minimize the likelihood that member 100 will damage ~
. , .
vehicle 24, Bushing 132 is provided with an aperture 140 which loosely engages the free end 142 of an arm 144 having a fixed end 146 secured to a first pulley 148 tFigures 4 and 5j rotatably mounted on a pivot 150 having an upper end 152 x-. .. ..
secured to top wall 76 and a lower end 154 secured to a plate 156 affixed to a bracket 158 tFigure 3) extending inwardly from side wall 78. Arm 144 is biased 30 to the position shown in Figure 3 by a first rubber band 160 having a first end ;
: " .
: ', '`
162 trained about arm 144 and a second end 164 trained about a fixed post 166 depending from top wall 76. Rubber band 160 is maintained in position on arm 144 by a sleeve 168 carried by end 146 of arm 144. Lever 108 is carried by a disc 170 (Figure 5) affixed ~o pin 110 and is connec~ed to pulley 148 by a cable 172 having a first end 174 captured in a slot 176 provided in disc 170 ~
and a second end 178 (Figure 4) mounted in a U-shaped bore 180 provided in .
pulley 148. Cable 172 is trained about a roller 182 rotatably mounted on the bight portion 184 of a bail 186 having its legs 188, 190 connected to fixed posts 192, 194 by springs 196, 198, respectively. Bight portion 184 of bail 186 is slidably mounted on a pair of brackets 200, 202 ~Figure 7) depending from top wall 76 so that cable 172 will be sufficiently tensioned to maintain :
lever 108 in the upright position shown in Figure 5.
Vehicle-engaging member 114 may be identical to the member 100 shown in Figure 6 and is loosely mounted on an arm 204 (Figure 3) having a free end 206 engaged in member 114 and a fixed end 208 seated in a second pulley 210 rotatably mounted on pivot lS0. Arm 204 is biased to the position shown in Figure 3 by a second rubber band 212 having a first end 21~ ~rained about arm 204 and retained in position thereon by a sleeve 216 ~Figure 4). Rubber band 212 also in~ludes a second end (not shown) trained about post 166. ~rm 204 is : 20 connected to lever 122 by a second cable 218 having a first end 220 conn~cted ~.
~: to pulley 210 as shown in Figure 4 and a second end 222 connected to a disc 224~(Figure 3) carried by pin 126. Cable 218 is tensioned in the same manner as cable 172 by a roller 226, a bail 228 and springs 230, 232 connected to posts ,,.
234J 236, respectively, depending from top wall 76.
: As best shown in Figure 3, an elastomeric bumper 238 may be affixed to the underside of top wall 76 for engagement by vehicle-engaging members :~
100, 114 when they reach the end of their travel in slots 102, 116, respective ly. ~ . .
As best seen in Pigures 4 and 5, pulley 210 includes a large-diameter :;
portion 240 which carries arm 204, a small diameter portion 242 which receives ~ ....
1~5686~L :
cable 218 and an end cap 2'14which retains cable 218 in position on small-diame~er portion 242. Likewise, pulley 148 includes a l~r~e~diameter portion 246 which carries arm 144, a small-diameter portion 248 which receives cable 172 and an end cap 250 which retains cabl~ 172 in posi~ion on small-diame~er portion 248.
: . .
Referring now to Figures 8-ll, a vehicle racing game appara~us constituting a second embodiment of the present invention, generally designa-... .... . .
ted lOA, may be identical ~o the apparatus 10 except that the curve 22 is replaced by a modified curve 22A which carries a modified propulsion device 10 28A. Curve 22A may be connected to the downstream ends 38 of track sections 30, 32 by tabs 92A, 94A, respectively and to the upstream ends 56 of track sections 48, 50 by tabs 96A, 98A, respectively.
Curve 22A includes a housing 74A having a top wall 76A which may be molded from a suitable plastic material in such a manner that rscessed running surfaces 82A, 84A and ups~anding guide walls 86A, 88A and 90A are provided on top wall 76A.
Propulsion device 28A includes a pivot 150A upon which an upper pinion 148A and a lower pinion 210A are rotatably mounted. Upper pinion 148A includes a hub 248A loosely receiving one end 146A of an arm 144A extending through a 20 slot 252 ~Figures 9 and 11) provided in side wall 90A.Arml44A has a free end ~-142A extending over running surface 84A and carrying a depending, vehicle-engag-ing member lOOA normally seated in a cavity 254 extending sufficiently beneath running surace 84A that a vehicle may pass over free end 142A of arm 144A.
Lower pmion210A includes a hub 242Aupon which one end 208A of an arm 204A
- is loosely fitted. Arm 204A includes a free end 206A (Figure 8~ which extends over runnihg surface 82A and which carries a depending, vehicle-engaging mem-: .
ber (not shown) seated in a cavity 256 extending below running surface 82A a sufficient distance to permit a vehicle to pass over îree end 206A.
Propulsion device 28A also includes an actuating rod 258 reciprocably 30 mountedin housing 74A in bushlngs 260, 262 depending from running surfaces - ~
'';: ':
- 6 - ~
: ' ' ~5~8164 84A and 82A, respectively. Actuating rod 258 includes an end 264 carrying a rack 266 drivingly engaging pinion 148A and a second end 26~ connected ~o a slot 270 in an actua~ing lever 108A by a pin 272. Lever 108A is swingably mounted in housing 74A by a pin 274 seated in a bracket 276 affixed to housing 74A. Actuating rod 258 is biased in the direction of arrow 278 by a compres-sion spring 280 having a first end 282 bearing against the bushing 262 and a second end 284 bearing against a collar 286 affixed to rod 258. Rotation of actuating lever 108A in the direction of arrow 288 moves rod 258 in the direc- ;
tion of arrow 290 so that rack 266 will rotate pinion 148A in the direction of arrow 292. A pin 294 is affixed to pinion 148A and extends into driving en-gagement with end 146A of arm 144A for swinging arm 144A on a path defined by slot 252 and indicated by arrows 296, 298 so that vehicle-engaging member lOOA
will rise up out of cavity 254 and move along above running surface 84A.
Propulsion device 28A also includes an actuating rod 300 reciprocably ;~
mounted in housing 74A in suitable bushings, like the one shown at 302. Actu~
ating rod 300 includes an end 304 carrying a rack 306 drivingly engaging pinion 210A and a second end 308 connected to an actu'ating lever 122A ~Figure 8) swing-ably mounted in housing 74A by suitable means (not shown) like the means mount-, .
ing lever 108A, Actuating rod 300 is biased in the direction o~ arrow 310 by a compression spring 312 having a first end 314 bearing against the bushing 302 and a second end 316 bearing against a collar 318 affixed to rod 300. RQ-tation of actuating lever 122A in the direction of arrow 320 moves rod 300 in the direction of arrow 322 so that rack 306 will rotate pinion 210A in the di-:. j rection of arrow 324, A pin 326 is affixed to pinion 210A and extends into ~ ~ ;
driving engagement with end 208A of arm 204A for swinging arm 204A on a path : --..
defined by a slot (not shown) like the slot 252 so that the vehicle-engaging member on end 206A of arm 204A will rise up out of cavity 256 and move along ... .
: . . . ~ .
above running surface B2A.
. : ::. -Operation of the vehicle racing game apparatus will be described in connection with Figure 1. Vehicle 24 may be placed on track 14 and vehicle 26 :: .
.'..:... .
. ~. . .
~)5~36~L
may be placed on track 16. These are unpowered vehicles and may be pushed onto curve 22. When vehicle 26 enters curve 22, a child-user may swing lever 122 in the direction of arrow 124 causing vehicle-engaging member 114 to move onto curve 22 behind vehicle 26, If the child-user actuates lever 122 at the proper time, vehicle 26 will be propelled around curve 22 by vehicle-engaging member 114.
Vehicle 24 may then be pushed onto curve 22 so that a child-user may swing lever 108 in the direction of arrow 112 causing vehicle-engaging member 100 to move in behind vehicle 24 and propel it around curve 22 and down track 14. Assuming that vehicles 24, 26 have each been given a sufficient boost by vehicle-engaging members lO0, 114 to cause vehicles 24, 26 to coast around loop 18 from the downstream end 58 of curve 22 to the upstream end thereof so that vehicles 24, 26 may again be boosted by vehicle-engaging mem-bers 100, 114, then the child-users may compet:e with each other in a racing-type game.
It is an important feature of the invention that the vehicle-propul-sion assembly 28 is provided on a curve. Curve 22 is not banked so that the vehiGles 24, 26 will scrub the guide walls of curve 22. This slows the vehicles down somewhat giving the child-users a better chance to bring vehicle-eligaging members 100, 114 onto the track behind the vehicles. If the vehicle-propulsion mechanism 28 was placed on a straight portion of the track, then . - . .
the propulsion mechanism might accelerate the vehicles sufficiently to drive them up and over the curved portionsiofthe track. ~ ;
I~ is also an important eature of the invention that the vehicle-engaging members engage the vehicles rom behind as distinguished from the type which engages the vehicles from beneath bacause it is harder for small children .
to engage a member extending downwardly from beneath a vehicle.
While the particular ve~icle-racing game apparatus herein shown and descrihed in detail is fully capable of attaining the Qbjscts and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated~ it is to be understood that it is merely illus- ~ -~' ' ' : .. : - , . ., , ,, ,. ": , - ................. : . . ..
,: , ., . . :.. , ,; . . . . . . . .
11056~
trative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims which form a par~ of ~his disclo-sure.
Whenever the term ~'means" is employed in these claims, this term is to be interpreted as defining the corresponding structure illustrated and described in the specification or the equivalent of the same.
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1~:3568~i4 ing a first curve 20 at one end and a second curve 22 at the other end.
Tracks 14, 16 support toy vehicles 24, 26J respectively, each of which moves around the closed loop 18 as a result of impulses applied to it by a vehicle-propulslon device 28 located entirely within curve 22 for manual operation by a child user.
The tracks 14, 16 include first track sections 30, 32 each having an upstream end 34 connected to the downstream end 36 of curve 20 and a downs~ream end 38 connected to the upstream end 40 of curve 22. Each track section 30, 32 includes a flat running surface 42 at each edge of which is an upstanding guide wall 44 adapted to guide vehicles 24, 26 along track sections 30, 32, respectively. Track sections 30, 32 may be extruded from a softJ pliable plas-tic material and may be supported intermediate their ends by a suitable block 46 to elevate the midportion of track sections 30, 32 above surface 12 to create dips in the track setions. Tracks 14, 16 also include track sections 48, S0 each having a downstream end 52 connected to the upstream end 54 of curve 20 and an upstream end 56 connected ~o lthe downstream end 58 of curve 22.
The ~rack sections 48, 50 each also have a flat running surface 60 and upstand-ing guide walls 62.
Curvc 20 includes a first banked section 64 forming part of track 14 and a second banked section 66 forming part of track 16. A simulated crash-barrier 68 ~ay be provided on the end of curve 20 and may be made from card_ board, plastic or the like. Barrier 68 may be decorated with simulated flags 70, if desired. Additionally, a simulated observers stand 72 may be placed upon surface 12 adjacent curve 20.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, curve 22 includes a housing 74 having a top wall 76, an encompassing, depending side wall 78 and an open bot-tom 80. Top wall 76 forms a running surface for cars 24, 26 and is divided into lanes 82, 84 by upstanding guide walls 86, 88 and 90. Ends 38 of track sections 30, 32 are connected to housing 74 by connecting tabs 92, 94, respec-tively and ends 56 of track sections 48, 50 are connected to housing 74 by tabs ~L0568G4 96, 98, respectively.
Propulsion device 28 includes a first vehicle-engaging member 100 disposed in an arcuate slot 102 provided in top wall 76 between guide walls 88, 90 and having an upstream end 104 curving inwzrdly from lane 84, through an opening 106 in guide wall 90 to a posi.tion out of the path-of-travel of vehicle 24 as it moves onto the upstream end 40 of curve 22. Vehicle-engaging member 100 is normally maintained at end 104 of slot 102 by a structure to be hereinafter described. This structure is connected to an operating lever 108 which is swingably moun~ed on housing 74 by a pin 110 for moving member 100 from the normal position shown in Figure 1 in~o the path-of-travel of vehicle 24 when lever 108 is swung in the direction of arrow 112 ~Figure 1).
Propulsion device 28 also includes a second vehicle-engaging member ~-114 located within a second arcuate slot 116 having an upstream end 118 ex-tending through an opening 120 in guide wall 86 adjacent upstream end 40 of ~ -curve 22. Member 114 may be moved from the yosition shown in Figure 1 to th~ -:. :
position shown in broken lines in Figure 2 for engagementwith vehicle 26 by swinging a lever 122 in the direction of arrow 124. Lever 122 is swingably mounted on housing 74 by a pin 126 carried by a bracket 128.
Referring now to Figures 3 - 7, vehicle-engaging member 100 includes -~
- . .
an upstanding post 130 (Figure 6) having a bushing 132 provided at its lower end, a first washer 134 provided on top of bushing 132 and a second washer 136 spaced above washer 134 for trapping post 130 in slot 102, Post 130 may be .
covered with an elas~omeric bumpex 138 for absorbing energy when member 100 ~ ~
~...... .
engages vehicle 24 to minimize the likelihood that member 100 will damage ~
. , .
vehicle 24, Bushing 132 is provided with an aperture 140 which loosely engages the free end 142 of an arm 144 having a fixed end 146 secured to a first pulley 148 tFigures 4 and 5j rotatably mounted on a pivot 150 having an upper end 152 x-. .. ..
secured to top wall 76 and a lower end 154 secured to a plate 156 affixed to a bracket 158 tFigure 3) extending inwardly from side wall 78. Arm 144 is biased 30 to the position shown in Figure 3 by a first rubber band 160 having a first end ;
: " .
: ', '`
162 trained about arm 144 and a second end 164 trained about a fixed post 166 depending from top wall 76. Rubber band 160 is maintained in position on arm 144 by a sleeve 168 carried by end 146 of arm 144. Lever 108 is carried by a disc 170 (Figure 5) affixed ~o pin 110 and is connec~ed to pulley 148 by a cable 172 having a first end 174 captured in a slot 176 provided in disc 170 ~
and a second end 178 (Figure 4) mounted in a U-shaped bore 180 provided in .
pulley 148. Cable 172 is trained about a roller 182 rotatably mounted on the bight portion 184 of a bail 186 having its legs 188, 190 connected to fixed posts 192, 194 by springs 196, 198, respectively. Bight portion 184 of bail 186 is slidably mounted on a pair of brackets 200, 202 ~Figure 7) depending from top wall 76 so that cable 172 will be sufficiently tensioned to maintain :
lever 108 in the upright position shown in Figure 5.
Vehicle-engaging member 114 may be identical to the member 100 shown in Figure 6 and is loosely mounted on an arm 204 (Figure 3) having a free end 206 engaged in member 114 and a fixed end 208 seated in a second pulley 210 rotatably mounted on pivot lS0. Arm 204 is biased to the position shown in Figure 3 by a second rubber band 212 having a first end 21~ ~rained about arm 204 and retained in position thereon by a sleeve 216 ~Figure 4). Rubber band 212 also in~ludes a second end (not shown) trained about post 166. ~rm 204 is : 20 connected to lever 122 by a second cable 218 having a first end 220 conn~cted ~.
~: to pulley 210 as shown in Figure 4 and a second end 222 connected to a disc 224~(Figure 3) carried by pin 126. Cable 218 is tensioned in the same manner as cable 172 by a roller 226, a bail 228 and springs 230, 232 connected to posts ,,.
234J 236, respectively, depending from top wall 76.
: As best shown in Figure 3, an elastomeric bumper 238 may be affixed to the underside of top wall 76 for engagement by vehicle-engaging members :~
100, 114 when they reach the end of their travel in slots 102, 116, respective ly. ~ . .
As best seen in Pigures 4 and 5, pulley 210 includes a large-diameter :;
portion 240 which carries arm 204, a small diameter portion 242 which receives ~ ....
1~5686~L :
cable 218 and an end cap 2'14which retains cable 218 in position on small-diame~er portion 242. Likewise, pulley 148 includes a l~r~e~diameter portion 246 which carries arm 144, a small-diameter portion 248 which receives cable 172 and an end cap 250 which retains cabl~ 172 in posi~ion on small-diame~er portion 248.
: . .
Referring now to Figures 8-ll, a vehicle racing game appara~us constituting a second embodiment of the present invention, generally designa-... .... . .
ted lOA, may be identical ~o the apparatus 10 except that the curve 22 is replaced by a modified curve 22A which carries a modified propulsion device 10 28A. Curve 22A may be connected to the downstream ends 38 of track sections 30, 32 by tabs 92A, 94A, respectively and to the upstream ends 56 of track sections 48, 50 by tabs 96A, 98A, respectively.
Curve 22A includes a housing 74A having a top wall 76A which may be molded from a suitable plastic material in such a manner that rscessed running surfaces 82A, 84A and ups~anding guide walls 86A, 88A and 90A are provided on top wall 76A.
Propulsion device 28A includes a pivot 150A upon which an upper pinion 148A and a lower pinion 210A are rotatably mounted. Upper pinion 148A includes a hub 248A loosely receiving one end 146A of an arm 144A extending through a 20 slot 252 ~Figures 9 and 11) provided in side wall 90A.Arml44A has a free end ~-142A extending over running surface 84A and carrying a depending, vehicle-engag-ing member lOOA normally seated in a cavity 254 extending sufficiently beneath running surace 84A that a vehicle may pass over free end 142A of arm 144A.
Lower pmion210A includes a hub 242Aupon which one end 208A of an arm 204A
- is loosely fitted. Arm 204A includes a free end 206A (Figure 8~ which extends over runnihg surface 82A and which carries a depending, vehicle-engaging mem-: .
ber (not shown) seated in a cavity 256 extending below running surface 82A a sufficient distance to permit a vehicle to pass over îree end 206A.
Propulsion device 28A also includes an actuating rod 258 reciprocably 30 mountedin housing 74A in bushlngs 260, 262 depending from running surfaces - ~
'';: ':
- 6 - ~
: ' ' ~5~8164 84A and 82A, respectively. Actuating rod 258 includes an end 264 carrying a rack 266 drivingly engaging pinion 148A and a second end 26~ connected ~o a slot 270 in an actua~ing lever 108A by a pin 272. Lever 108A is swingably mounted in housing 74A by a pin 274 seated in a bracket 276 affixed to housing 74A. Actuating rod 258 is biased in the direction of arrow 278 by a compres-sion spring 280 having a first end 282 bearing against the bushing 262 and a second end 284 bearing against a collar 286 affixed to rod 258. Rotation of actuating lever 108A in the direction of arrow 288 moves rod 258 in the direc- ;
tion of arrow 290 so that rack 266 will rotate pinion 148A in the direction of arrow 292. A pin 294 is affixed to pinion 148A and extends into driving en-gagement with end 146A of arm 144A for swinging arm 144A on a path defined by slot 252 and indicated by arrows 296, 298 so that vehicle-engaging member lOOA
will rise up out of cavity 254 and move along above running surface 84A.
Propulsion device 28A also includes an actuating rod 300 reciprocably ;~
mounted in housing 74A in suitable bushings, like the one shown at 302. Actu~
ating rod 300 includes an end 304 carrying a rack 306 drivingly engaging pinion 210A and a second end 308 connected to an actu'ating lever 122A ~Figure 8) swing-ably mounted in housing 74A by suitable means (not shown) like the means mount-, .
ing lever 108A, Actuating rod 300 is biased in the direction o~ arrow 310 by a compression spring 312 having a first end 314 bearing against the bushing 302 and a second end 316 bearing against a collar 318 affixed to rod 300. RQ-tation of actuating lever 122A in the direction of arrow 320 moves rod 300 in the direction of arrow 322 so that rack 306 will rotate pinion 210A in the di-:. j rection of arrow 324, A pin 326 is affixed to pinion 210A and extends into ~ ~ ;
driving engagement with end 208A of arm 204A for swinging arm 204A on a path : --..
defined by a slot (not shown) like the slot 252 so that the vehicle-engaging member on end 206A of arm 204A will rise up out of cavity 256 and move along ... .
: . . . ~ .
above running surface B2A.
. : ::. -Operation of the vehicle racing game apparatus will be described in connection with Figure 1. Vehicle 24 may be placed on track 14 and vehicle 26 :: .
.'..:... .
. ~. . .
~)5~36~L
may be placed on track 16. These are unpowered vehicles and may be pushed onto curve 22. When vehicle 26 enters curve 22, a child-user may swing lever 122 in the direction of arrow 124 causing vehicle-engaging member 114 to move onto curve 22 behind vehicle 26, If the child-user actuates lever 122 at the proper time, vehicle 26 will be propelled around curve 22 by vehicle-engaging member 114.
Vehicle 24 may then be pushed onto curve 22 so that a child-user may swing lever 108 in the direction of arrow 112 causing vehicle-engaging member 100 to move in behind vehicle 24 and propel it around curve 22 and down track 14. Assuming that vehicles 24, 26 have each been given a sufficient boost by vehicle-engaging members lO0, 114 to cause vehicles 24, 26 to coast around loop 18 from the downstream end 58 of curve 22 to the upstream end thereof so that vehicles 24, 26 may again be boosted by vehicle-engaging mem-bers 100, 114, then the child-users may compet:e with each other in a racing-type game.
It is an important feature of the invention that the vehicle-propul-sion assembly 28 is provided on a curve. Curve 22 is not banked so that the vehiGles 24, 26 will scrub the guide walls of curve 22. This slows the vehicles down somewhat giving the child-users a better chance to bring vehicle-eligaging members 100, 114 onto the track behind the vehicles. If the vehicle-propulsion mechanism 28 was placed on a straight portion of the track, then . - . .
the propulsion mechanism might accelerate the vehicles sufficiently to drive them up and over the curved portionsiofthe track. ~ ;
I~ is also an important eature of the invention that the vehicle-engaging members engage the vehicles rom behind as distinguished from the type which engages the vehicles from beneath bacause it is harder for small children .
to engage a member extending downwardly from beneath a vehicle.
While the particular ve~icle-racing game apparatus herein shown and descrihed in detail is fully capable of attaining the Qbjscts and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated~ it is to be understood that it is merely illus- ~ -~' ' ' : .. : - , . ., , ,, ,. ": , - ................. : . . ..
,: , ., . . :.. , ,; . . . . . . . .
11056~
trative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims which form a par~ of ~his disclo-sure.
Whenever the term ~'means" is employed in these claims, this term is to be interpreted as defining the corresponding structure illustrated and described in the specification or the equivalent of the same.
' !-.- ,.... .
::
' '' :,..
~`~ ~ , ., . ' : ~ ''.''...... ' ' '.
~. ~ ~ ' ''. ' ' ' ,~
.' .: ' ' ~ ': ' '' . ' : ~ ' ' ~ ", ' ' ' ~' , ,, :'.
'~ '' :' , ' " ,:
'''".'','''.''';"~`''';~''''','','''~'`'''''',,''''','"''''' '"'.'''''.''' ''"'"'''' ;''.''; ''''
Claims
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. For use with a track defining a predetermined path-of-travel for a freely rolling toy vehicle, the track including a housing having a top wall, a flat, recessed running surface and upstanding guide walls at each edge thereof, apparatus for accelerating a freely rolling toy vehicle along the path comprising: a slot in one of said guide walls, said slot having a first portion lying in a plane above said flat running surface substantially parallel thereto and a second portion curving downwardly from said first portion to a plane approximately coinciding with the plane of said flat running surface; a cavity in said running surface adjacent the second portion of said slot; an arm riding in said slot for engaging said vehicle to impart an accelerating force thereto, said arm having a first end and a free end, said free end extending over said running surface; a depending, vehicle-engaging member carried by said free end of said arm and normally resting in said cavity below said running surface a sufficient distance to permit a vehicle to pass over said free end of said lever; a pivot post mounted in said housing, said first end of said arm being rotatably mounted on said pivot post; and means connected to said first end of said arm for swinging said arm about said pivot post, whereby said free end is moved from said plane of said flat running surface, up said second portion of said slot and along said first portion of said slot, said first portion of said slot, said free end of said arm and said engaging member being so designed and ar-ranged with respect to the height of said vehicle that said engaging member will engage said vehicle.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US60947975A | 1975-09-02 | 1975-09-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1056864A true CA1056864A (en) | 1979-06-19 |
Family
ID=24440982
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA260,360A Expired CA1056864A (en) | 1975-09-02 | 1976-09-01 | Vehicle racing game apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1056864A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES233475Y (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-03-30 ES ES1976233475U patent/ES233475Y/en not_active Expired
- 1976-09-01 CA CA260,360A patent/CA1056864A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES233475Y (en) | 1979-01-01 |
| ES233475U (en) | 1978-09-01 |
| AU1270976A (en) | 1977-08-04 |
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