US3707804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grooved track for toy vehicles
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-25
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A track for self-powered or coasting type toy vehicles which allows passing of slower vehicles by faster ones by encourgaging lane changing when vehicles bump one another prior to passing, while thereafter reducing the tendency of vehicles to wander from one side of the track to the other. The track has several low ridges extending along its length for urging vehicles to run straight along the track, the ridges being low enough and being rounded to enable a vehicle to easily climb over them to another section of the track. The ridged track section is used along banked curves to reduce the tendency for vehicles to climb the curve and is used along straight-away sections to enable passing while reducing wandering tendencies.
Inventors
- 👤 J Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Toy vehicle apparatus comprising: a toy vehicle which has at least one pair of wheels that are laterally spaced by at least a predetermined distance; and an elongated track with a generally flat vehicle supporting surface which is wider than said predetermined distance at which said wheels are laterally spaced, by at least twice said distance; a plurality of substantially parallel narrow spaced ridges extending upwardly from and longitudinally of said surface and defining vehicle lanes for engaging said wheels to guide them for movement along the length of the track, said ridges being spaced apart a distance less than said predetermined distance and of a height which is low enough to allow said wheels of said toy vehicle to stably move over said ridges to different lane positions on said track when said vehicle is subjected to lateral forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Toy vehicle apparatus comprising: a toy vehicle which has at least one pair of wheels that are laterally spaced by at least a predetermined distance; and an elongated track with a generally flat vehicle supporting surface which is wider than said predetermined distance at which said wheels are laterally spaced, by at least twice said distance; a plurality of substantially parallel narrow spaced ridges extending upwardly from and longitudinally of said surface and defining vehicle lanes for engaging said wheels to guide them for movement along the length of the track, said ridges being spaced apart a distance less than said predetermined distance and of a height which is low enough to allow said wheels of said toy vehicle to stably move over said ridges to different lane positions on said track when said vehicle is subjected to lateral forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said ridges are laterally spaced by distances greater than the thickness of said vehicle wheels, and said ridges have side walls which are rounded at least at their tops to encourage said vehicles to climb over said ridges when said vehicles are urged to move sidewardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said ridges have a height of less than one-fifth the radius of each of said wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said ridges are laterally spaced from each other by a distance which is less than said predetermined distance at which said wheels are laterally spaced, but which is more than the thickness of the wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Toy vehicle track apparatus comprising: an elongated track a vehicle supporting surface defining a plurality of substantially parallel ridges extending in a direction along the length of the track and defining wheel-supporting grooves between saiD ridges, said track surface being substantially flat between said ridges and said ridges being rounded at their tops.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Toy vehicle track apparatus comprising: an elongated track a vehicle supporting surface defining a plurality of substantially parallel ridges extending in a direction along the length of the track and defining wheel-supporting grooves between saiD ridges, said track surface being substantially flat between said ridges and said ridges being rounded at their tops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The toy vehicle track apparatus described in claim 5 including: first and second toy vehicles, each having a pair of laterally spaced front wheels; and wherein said track is wider than the combined width of both of said toy vehicles, said ridges are laterally spaced by less than the lateral spacing of the front pair of wheels on either of said vehicles, and said ridges have heights less than one-fifth the radius of any of said wheels on said toy vehicles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |