Railways: surface track – Portable track – Simulated roadbeds
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-10-09
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railways: surface track
Portable track
Simulated roadbeds
C238S01000B, C104S053000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299072
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to toy vehicle track and, more particularly, to a toy train track connector device for joining lengths of toy train track end to end.
BACKGROUND
In the toy vehicle industry, small toy trains are often run on plastic or wood tracks. These railway systems are designed to grow with the child. In other words, railway configurations can range from very simple ovals to complex systems incorporating bridges, buildings, tunnels, and towns. Many other accessories are available as well, such as toy figurines, bushes, shrubs, and trees to lend the system a realistic effect; playmats, playboards, and play tables on which to build a railway system; carry bags and boxes in which to store the railway system when not in use; and, storybooks, iron-ons, decals, and coloring books to further stimulate the child's imagination.
The railway configurations are built from individual track sections. The track sections range in size and shape. There are countless possibilities for individual track sections: some are straight; some feature switching mechanisms; some are curved; and some are ascending for connection to another track positioned at a higher level.
One of the most important aspects of these railway systems is that the track sections be interchangeable. Accordingly, most track sections include male and/or female connectors at opposing ends. This allows the track sections to be connected end to end in a variety of configurations. The connectors also provide the means by which the track segments are aligned with each other.
It is known in the prior art to provide toy train segments which are capable of being joined together by way of male pins extending longitudinally from the end of one track segment mating with corresponding female recesses in the end of an adjoining track segment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,330 describes such a track segment.
One problem associated with these types of track segments is that they are difficult to disconnect from each other. To disconnect the track segments, the user must grasp both segments and pull or twist them apart. This creates stress on the fragile projections which could cause them to snap off.
In addition, when disconnecting a segment which is adjoined to two or more other segments, a large amount of stress is placed on the connection between the segment being disconnected and the segment which is not being disconnected. For instance, if track segment A is attached at one end to track segment B and at an opposing end to track segment C. The connection between track segment A and track segment C will undergo a bending stress when segment A and segment B are being disconnected. This is caused by lifting segments A and B to pull them apart while leaving segment C dangling from segment A.
Other problems exist with track connectors. For example, many times the connections between adjoined segments is unreliable, and the segments will become disconnected while vehicles are traversing the track. Also, some track segments have sharp parts that can cause injury. Finally, some track segment connectors do not allow the necessary interchangeability because they can only be oriented in one direction to make a connection with an adjoining segment.
This invention was designed to overcome problems associated with prior art track connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates to connection assemblies for joining toy vehicle track segments together. The connection assembly of the present invention comprises a male guide pin, a male connector latch, a female connector receptor, and a female guide pin receptor.
The male guide pin extends outwardly from an end wall of the track segment. The male guide pin is adapted for insertion into the female guide pin receptor which extends inwardly from the end wall. Each male guide pin has a linear wall joined at an arcuate apex to a tapered wall. The guide pin further includes grooved upper and lower surfaces.
The female guide pin receptor includes a housing for receiving the male guide pin. The housing includes a continuous inner wall. The inner wall comprises a linear portion for mating with the linear wall of the male guide pin, a curved portion for mating with the apex of the male guide pin, and an angled portion for mating with the tapered wall of the male guide pin. The housing further comprises opposing upper and lower ribbed walls. The upper and lower ribbed walls are adapted for mating with the grooved upper and lower surfaces of the male guide pin.
The male connector latch of a track segment and the female connector receptor of an adjoining track segment cooperate to fix pairs of track segments together. Accordingly, the male connector latch extends outwardly from the end wall of the track segment. The female connector receptor extends inwardly from the end wall of the track segment for receiving the male connector of an adjoining track segment. Each male connector latch includes an upwardly projecting keeper for mating with a corresponding downwardly projecting keeper within the female connector receptor.
The male connector latch/female connector receptor combination includes a push button release mechanism. The push button release mechanism provides relative movement between the male connector latch of one track segment and the female connector receptor of an adjoining track segment. The push button release mechanism comprises a push button located on the upper surface of the track segment. The push button is interconnected to a flexible tongue so that when a downward force is applied to the push button the tongue will flex downwardly. A beam on the underside of the tongue acts to disengage the upwardly projecting keeper of the male connector latch from the corresponding downwardly projecting keeper of the female connector receptor when the downward force is applied to the push button.
Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention.
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Learning Curve Toys International, Inc.
Morano S. Joseph
Olson Lars A.
Wallenstein & Wagner LTD
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