US4161279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curved track section for toy vehicle
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-22
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Granted: 1979-07-17
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Expires: 1997-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A curved track section for self-propelled toy vehicles, the track having a width sufficient to accommodate two toy vehicles side by side. A portion of the track is provided with a lane divider with the entrance end of the track being provided with an abutment portion extending in the direction of travel of the vehicles from a position adjacent the outer periphery to a position generally intermediate the inside and outside of the track, the abutment having a progressively increasing height and width in the direction of travel the vehicle, the lane selection of the vehicle being determined by the speed or angle of entry into the entrance end of the track section.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne R. Halford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a toy vehicle track configured for traversal thereover of at least one self-propelled toy vehicle, the combination comprising: a trackway being curved as seen in plan view and banked at an angle which increases from the inside of said plan curve to the outside thereof, said trackway having an entrance end and an exit end and having a track width sufficient for two vehicles side by side; wall means on the outside of said trackway and shoulder means on the inside of said trackway for maintaining said vehicles thereon; first means within at least a portion of said trackway for dividing said trackway into first and second lanes; and nonmovable abutment means integrally formed within said trackway adjacent said entrance end from a point adjacent said wall means along a curved path to a position generally intermediate said wall means and said shoulder means for selectively permitting said vehicle to enter one of said first and second lanes in response to the speed of entry or the angle of entry of the toy vehicle at said entrance end of said trackway, said abutment means having at least a portion thereof configured for passage thereover by a toy vehicle having sufficient momentum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a toy vehicle track configured for traversal thereover of at least one self-propelled toy vehicle, the combination comprising: a trackway being curved as seen in plan view and banked at an angle which increases from the inside of said plan curve to the outside thereof, said trackway having an entrance end and an exit end and having a track width sufficient for two vehicles side by side; wall means on the outside of said trackway and shoulder means on the inside of said trackway for maintaining said vehicles thereon; first means within at least a portion of said trackway for dividing said trackway into first and second lanes; and nonmovable abutment means integrally formed within said trackway adjacent said entrance end from a point adjacent said wall means along a curved path to a position generally intermediate said wall means and said shoulder means for selectively permitting said vehicle to enter one of said first and second lanes in response to the speed of entry or the angle of entry of the toy vehicle at said entrance end of said trackway, said abutment means having at least a portion thereof configured for passage thereover by a toy vehicle having sufficient momentum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said abutment means at said point is generally co-extensive in height with the track surface of said trackway, said abutment means having a progressively increasing height and width in the direction of the path of travel of the vehicle towards a generally intermediate position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said first means is an integrally formed inverted generally U-shaped lane divider, said abutment means and said lane divider forming a generally continuous surface as seen in plan view.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said trackway is formed of a plurality of interlocking track sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said second lane is adjacent said wall means and lies in a plane off set outwardly from said first lane adjacent the exit end of said trackway.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-16 | 1983-01-15 | 1983-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-16 | 1987-01-15 | 1987-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-16 | 1991-01-15 | 1991-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |