US4540119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible track segment
Assignee: NEUHIERL GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1982-08-12
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Granted: 1985-09-10
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Expires: 2002-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A flexible track segment for freely moving, driven, track-bound toy cars with a guide edge for guiding toy cars is specified, which consists of separate track segments, which can be put together, and which are capable of swivelling against each other, and, if necessary, connecting pieces. Each track segment part and connecting piece displays a travelling surface between the guide edges. The track segment parts and the connecting pieces are connectable with each other over the contact of linkage elements and receiving parts. The linkage element displays a pair of jaws with hook-forming, pointing to each other ends, which project away from a front side of the track segment part. The receiving part is constructed on the other front side of the track segment part and displays an opening and a vertical pin, which outside is aligned with the front side. The distance of the hook-forming ends is smaller and the distance of the jaws is larger than the diameter of the pin. In the put-together condition, the pin is held in the oval space which is between the jaws, the front side and the hook-forming ends. The adjacent track segment parts, over this contact, are capable of swivelling against each other in the horizontal and the vertical plane surface. The track segment, which consists of track segment parts, is formable in all directions like an accordion. The connecting pieces are connectable on one side with the track segment parts and are constructed on the other side for the connection, for example, to the rigid track segments or connecting parts of other track segments. The upper sides of the guide edges can be provided for building a uniform pattern of the projecting tongues of the upper side and these tongues display receiving cavities. Tools can be provided for the assembly and dismantling.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Neuhierl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:51
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H18/00; A63H18/02; A63H19/00; A63H19/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative vertical and longitudinal shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said locking parts comprising a pair of jaws with hook-forming ends which are directed to each other, said receiving parts comprising an opening in which a pin is arranged vertically to the side of which said receiving part is associated, the outer dimensions of which are smaller than the jaws and larger than the hook-forming ends, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative vertical and longitudinal shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said locking parts comprising a pair of jaws with hook-forming ends which are directed to each other, said receiving parts comprising an opening in which a pin is arranged vertically to the side of which said receiving part is associated, the outer dimensions of which are smaller than the jaws and larger than the hook-forming ends, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flexible track segment of claim 1 wherein a surface section of the pin aligns substantially with the side with which it is associated said pair of jaws having at most about one corresponding length of the travelling surface of the track segment part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the sides of the jaws and hooks is tapered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein connecting pieces for connection with other fixed track segments for relative shifting in only a longitudinal direction are provided, on one side of which a contact link is provided, and on the other side linkages are provided for the connection to the other adjacent track segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein the jaws are substantially rigid and resistant to bending, however, at least by means of a tool, can be parted from each other in such a manner that the joined-together track segments parts or the track segment part and the connecting piece can be separated from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein the jaws are substantially rigid and resistant to bending in combination with a tool, said tool having means for separating the segment parts and connecting pieces from each other by turning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein the jaws are substantially rigid and resistant to bending in combination with a tool, said tool having tapered means for forcing the jaws part by pressing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 wherein the jaws are substantially rigid and resistant to bending in combination with a tool, said tool having means for forcing the jaws apart by pressing, and a guiding link is provided essentially for the perpendicular guidance of the tool on the travelling track surface by means of pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 further including rigid but detachable, at least in the area of the edge, mountable supports which display a ball which snaps into a corresponding cup-forming cavity at the bottom side of the track segment part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
181 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said track segment having spaced guide edges and the locking and receiving parts located at the guide edges, said locking parts projecting on a track segment part on each of the guide edges and in opposite directions, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
181 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said track segment having spaced guide edges and the locking and receiving parts located at the guide edges, said locking parts projecting on a track segment part on each of the guide edges and in opposite directions, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
244 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segments parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said track segment having spaced guide edges and the locking and receiving parts located at the guide edges; an upper side of the guide edges adjacent the first sides of the track segment parts are provided with tongues projecting in the direction of the travelling surface and, on the second side, corresponding cavities are provided in such a manner that the tongues of the track segment part with play reach in the corresponding cavity of the adjacent track segment part, said tongues and cavities cooperating to maintain alignment of adjacent track segment parts upon relative shifting occurring therebetween, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
244 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segments parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising a locking part projecting from the first side, a receiving part on the first side spaced from the locking part and mating locking and receiving parts on the second side of an adjacent track segment part, said track segment having spaced guide edges and the locking and receiving parts located at the guide edges; an upper side of the guide edges adjacent the first sides of the track segment parts are provided with tongues projecting in the direction of the travelling surface and, on the second side, corresponding cavities are provided in such a manner that the tongues of the track segment part with play reach in the corresponding cavity of the adjacent track segment part, said tongues and cavities cooperating to maintain alignment of adjacent track segment parts upon relative shifting occurring therebetween, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
217 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative vertical and longitudinal shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising cooperating locking and receiving parts associated with the first and second sides of adjacent track segment parts to establish connection therebetween, said locking parts each comprising a pair of jaws with hook-forming ends which are directed to each other, said receiving parts comprising an opening in which a pin is arranged vertically to the first side, the outer dimensions of which are smaller than the jaws and larger than the hook-forming ends, connection between locking and receiving parts on adjacent track segment parts is established at least at a first and second location spaced transversely to the direction of travel of the toy vehicle, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
217 words
A flexible track segment for carrying freely moving, driven, track-bound toy vehicles comprising: a plurality of track segment parts each having a travelling surface and first and second oppositely facing sides spaced in the direction of travel of the toy vehicles along the track segment; and means connecting adjacent track segment parts for universal adjustment relative to each other, including relative vertical and longitudinal shifting between adjacent track segment parts along the direction of travel of the toy vehicle to effect horizontal and vertical curves, said means comprising cooperating locking and receiving parts associated with the first and second sides of adjacent track segment parts to establish connection therebetween, said locking parts each comprising a pair of jaws with hook-forming ends which are directed to each other, said receiving parts comprising an opening in which a pin is arranged vertically to the first side, the outer dimensions of which are smaller than the jaws and larger than the hook-forming ends, connection between locking and receiving parts on adjacent track segment parts is established at least at a first and second location spaced transversely to the direction of travel of the toy vehicle, whereby the travelling surfaces on the track segment parts can be arranged relative to each other to derive a desired course for the toy vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible track segment of claim 12 wherein the track segment has spaced guide edges and the locking and receiving parts are located at the guide edges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flexible track segment of claim 12 wherein said locking parts and receiving parts are engageable with each other only upon directing the track segment parts towards each other in the direction of movement of the toy vehicle along the track segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The flexible track segment of claim 14 wherein guide means are provided at the guide edges to maintain the alignment of the track segment parts upon the track segment parts moving relative to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The flexible track segment of claims 1 or 2 further including rigid, but detachable mountable supports which displays a ball which snaps into a corresponding cup-forming cavity at the bottom side of a connecting piece.
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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) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |