Patent US3830426A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3830426A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Model vehicle race track
Assignee: Aurora Products Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1972-07-24
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A track section contains grooves and electrical contacts for model vehicles. The track section includes provision for rapid and positive mechanical and electrical aligned linear connection with adjacent track sections by registration of mating parts and simple relative lateral movement between the two sections. The connection is accomplished by the use of a single hook and a single corresponding opening on each end of the track section for engagement with mating elements of a like track section. There are corresponding detent means and corresponding tongue and mouth elements on each track section which serve to normally restrain lateral movement between adjacent track sections once they are connected. Electrical contact between adjacent track sections is maintained by conductor strip tabs which are arranged to permit positive electric assembly and snag-free disassembly of like adjacent track sections.
Inventors
- 👤 D Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:49
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A track section for model vehicles for aligned linear interconnection with like adjacent track sections comprising an elongated body of insulating material having two ends, a substantially flat top wall with upstanding side walls depending therefrom, a single projection from each end of said track section, a single laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship of said two like adjacent track sections, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto, thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A track section for model vehicles for aligned linear interconnection with like adjacent track sections comprising an elongated body of insulating material having two ends, a substantially flat top wall with upstanding side walls depending therefrom, a single projection from each end of said track section, a single laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship of said two like adjacent track sections, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto, thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A track section for model vehicles according to claim 1 wherein said urging means includes a contact surface obliquely disposed with respect to said end of said track section, said contact surface being constructed and arranged to coact with a corresponding hook retaining means of a like adjacent track section to override said coacting corresponding detent means of a like adjacent track section, urge said track sections toward one another and establish said aligned linear relationship therebetween in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A track section for model vehicles according to claim 2 wherein said detent means includes tongue and mouth means, saId tongue projecting longitudinally with respect to the end of said track section and said mouth having an opening projecting longitudinally at least a corresponding amount with respect to the end of said track section, said mouth having lips and a roof constructed and arranged to normally limit movement of a tongue of a like adjacent track section engaged in aligned linear relationship between said lips and roof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3 wherein each end of said track section has only one hook and one opening for coacting with a corresponding hook and opening of a like adjacent track section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A track section for model vehicles according to claim 4 wherein said hook retaining means includes an upstanding longitudinally extending wall at least partially bounding each of said recesses with an opening therein constructed and arranged to engage a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A track section for model vehicles according to claim 1 including at least one pair of longitudinally extending conducting strips having ends, said conducting strips being mounted on said track section, each of said conducting strips terminating in a tab on each end thereof, each of said tabs being constructed and arranged to define an included angle between said tab and said conducting strip, said included angles being different on different ends of said track section for the same conducting strip and different on the same ends of adjacent conducting strips whereby adjacent tabs of like adjacent track sections define different included angles.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |