US3712541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trough-shaped toy vehicle track
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-20
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A track for use with self-powered or coasting-type toy vehicles which allows passing of slower vehicles by faster ones by encouraging the vehicles to wander gradually from one side of the track to the other. The track is concave, with a radius of curvature greater than its width to encourage vehicle wandering, but less than five times its width to reduce the likelihood of vehicles crashing into the side walls of the track. The side walls meet the gently curving portion in a radius of curvature which is more than one-fiftieth the width of the track to turn vehicles back towards the center of the track with a minimum of scraping.
Inventors
- 👤 D Merino
- 👤 F Schlau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:57
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use with toy vehicles having a width on the order of one inch comprising: a track having a concave vehicle-supporting surface with a width of at least 2 inches and a radius of curvature greater than 4 inches and less than 20 inches, said vehicle-supporting surface being free of barriers between said sides, so that toy vehicles that have a width on the order of 1 inch can wander from one side of the track to the other without obstruction, side rails extending upwardly and outwardly from the edges of said vehicle supporting surface, and a curved surface at the juncture of said vehicle supporting surface and said side rails, said curved surface having a radius of curvature of the order of one-quarter inch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use with toy vehicles having a width on the order of one inch comprising: a track having a concave vehicle-supporting surface with a width of at least 2 inches and a radius of curvature greater than 4 inches and less than 20 inches, said vehicle-supporting surface being free of barriers between said sides, so that toy vehicles that have a width on the order of 1 inch can wander from one side of the track to the other without obstruction, side rails extending upwardly and outwardly from the edges of said vehicle supporting surface, and a curved surface at the juncture of said vehicle supporting surface and said side rails, said curved surface having a radius of curvature of the order of one-quarter inch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said track includes a first track section containing part of said surface portion which is concavely curved, said first track section defining a banked curve; and said track includes a second track section containing part of said surface portion which is concavely curved, said second track section extending substantially straight and constructed for connection in series with said first track section.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |