Track toy

Abstract

The invention provides a track toy. And a coupling unit including a flexion / extension coupling body having a third runway and detachably coupling the first block and the second block, one end portion of the flexion / extension coupling body being coupled to the first block so as to form a rotation pair, and the other end portion of the flexion / extension coupling body being coupled to the second block so as to form a sliding pair and a rotation pair, when the first block body and the second block body are in an adjacent state, the first runway plate moves downwards relative to the first block body, and at least one part of the second runway plate is contained in the second block body, so that the first runway and the second runway are directly connected, and when the first block body and the second block body are in a separated state, the second runway plate moves downwards relative to the second block body. The second runway plate pulled out of the accommodating part is pulled out of the second block body, and the flexion and extension connecting body is extended, so that the first runway and the second runway are connected through the third runway. By adopting the track toy provided by the invention, the runway of the track toy can be simply stretched out and drawn back.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a track toy. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a track toy that includes a plurality of track panels on which tracks are formed, and that can create any desired track for play by appropriately connecting these tracks (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3091249

[0004] According to this track toy, for example, if you want to extend the runway midway, you need to disconnect adjacent runway boards at a predetermined location and connect a new runway board therebetween. In addition, if you want to shorten the runway, you need to remove a section of the runway board and connect the remaining runway boards together. The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a track toy whose runway can be easily extended or retracted. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A first track toy provided by the present invention comprises: a first block forming a first track, a second block forming a second track, and a connecting body forming a third track and detachably connecting the first and second blocks. At least one of the connecting bodies includes a flexion-extension connecting body that combines a first track board and a second track board, and is capable of flexing and extending along a vertical plane. One end of the flexion-extension connecting body is connected to the first block in a rotational duality, and the other end is connected to the second block in a sliding and rotational duality. When the first and second blocks are in an adjacent state, the first track board moves downward relative to the first block, and at least a portion of the second track board is accommodated in the second block, thereby directly connecting the first and second tracks. When the first and second blocks are separated, the second track board is pulled out of the accommodation portion and away from the second block, causing the flexion-extension connecting body to extend, thereby connecting the first and second tracks via the third track. Here, the "first block" and the "second block" refer to blocks that are separate contact units. The blocks can be composed of one part or a plurality of parts.

[0006] The second track toy provided by the present invention is based on the first track toy, wherein the first block has a movable runway board, which forms a runway portion constituting a part of the first runway and is capable of moving up and down around a horizontal axis. When the first block and the second block are in an adjacent state, the runway portion of the movable runway board is mounted on the second runway. When the first block and the second block are in a separated state, the movable runway board overlaps a part of the flexion-extension connection body.

[0007] The third track toy provided by the present invention is based on the first track toy or the second track toy, wherein an action portion is provided on the surface side of the second block, and the receiving portion is provided below the action portion.

[0008] The fourth track toy provided by the present invention is based on the third track toy, and the action part is a belt conveyor device that transports the running body from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope.

[0009] According to the present invention, since the first block and the second block are separably connected by the flexion-extension connector, the runway can be extended simply by separating the first block and the second block, and the runway can be shortened simply by bringing the first block and the second block into abutment with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a reduced state of the track toy according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a reduced state of the track toy. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the track toy according to the present embodiment in an extended state. Figure 4 It is a top view showing the track toy in an extended state. Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the bent state of the flexion-extension connection body. Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the flexion-extension connection in an extended state. Figure 7 This is a front view showing a reduced state of the track toy with some parts removed. Figure 8 This is a front view showing the track toy in an extended state. Figure 9 This is a front view showing the storage structure of the second runway slab. Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional diagram of an escalator. Figure 11 It is a side view of the winding mechanism of the conveyor belt. Figure 12 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the drive device of the escalator. Figure 13 This is a rear perspective view of the escalator's drive unit. Figure 14 It is a side view showing a part of the lower part of the escalator. Figure 15 This is a diagram of the escalator viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Overall Composition Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a reduced state of the track toy 10 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 This is its top view. The track toy 10 is used to run a vehicle toy 50 that does not have a power source. In addition, the object (traveling body) to be run is not limited to the vehicle toy 50. According to this track toy 10, for example, if a toy vehicle 50 is placed below an escalator 11, the escalator 11 transports the toy vehicle 50 to the top of the escalator 11. Since the track connected to the escalator 11 is downhill, the toy vehicle 50, under its own weight, moves down the slope, passes through the bridge 12 and the gate 13, and then returns to the bottom of the escalator 11 through the U-shaped track (the leftmost track). This track forms the basic running path. Thereafter, by operating the escalator 11, the toy vehicle 50 is transported to the top by the escalator 11, allowing it to circle the same track.

[0013] The track toy 10 is provided with track switching plates 14 a - 14 d . The course switching plate 14 a is a switching plate that is directly operated by hand. When the direction of the course switching plate 14 a is changed, the descending vehicle toy 50 is guided to the spiral downhill slope 15 . The course switching plate 14b switches the course by pressing the button 16, and projects onto the road surface only while the button 16 is pressed. When the course switching plate 14b projects, the disembarking vehicle toy 50 is discharged via the ramp 17. Furthermore, the course switching plate 14 c is a switching plate that is directly operated by hand. When the direction of the course switching plate 14 c is changed, the vehicle toy 50 that has come down is discharged via the ramp 18 . Furthermore, the track switching plate 14 d is actuated by the collision of the toy vehicle 50 , and guides the toy vehicle 50 to the lower side of the escalator 11 .

[0014] In addition, on this track toy 10, a parking lot plate 90 is provided in front of the escalator 11, and a parking lot is formed on the parking lot plate 90. The vehicle toy 50 can be parked on the parking lot using a ramp 91.

[0015] Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing the extended state of the track toy 10 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 This is its top view. The track toy 10 is configured to be reversibly extendable without requiring any disassembly or addition of parts. The track toy 10 has two telescopic structures. The first is a pull-out telescopic structure. Specifically, the track plate 19a can be pulled linearly relative to an adjacent component 19b, etc., and by pulling the track plate 19a linearly relative to the component 19b, etc., the track toy 10 can be extended or retracted. The second telescopic structure is achieved by extending or bending the flexion-extension connector 40. The first telescopic structure is well known. Therefore, the second telescopic structure will be described below.

[0016] Telescopic Structure of Track Toy 10 Figure 5 4 is a perspective view showing the bent state of the flexion-extension connection body 40. Figure 6 4 is a perspective view showing the extended state of the flexion-extension connection body 40. Figure 7 1 is a front view showing a reduced state of the track toy 10 with some parts removed. Figure 8 1 is a front view showing the extended state of the track toy 10. Figure 9 42 is a front view showing the storage structure of the second track board. The second telescopic structure comprises: when the track toy 10 is in the reduced state, the adjacent first block 20 and second block 30 (see Figure 4 ); and a flexion-extension coupling 40 that detachably couples the first and second blocks 20 and 30.

[0017] The flex-extension connector 40 is formed by connecting two track plates 41 and 42 via a shaft 43, and is configured to be flexible and extendable. Track plate 41 has a track portion 44a, while track plate 42 has a track portion 44b. When the flex-extension connector 40 is extended, track portions 44a and 44b connect to form a third track 44.

[0018] A first raceway 21 is formed on the first block 20 (see Figure 4). In addition, one end of a movable runway plate 22 is attached to the first block 20, and the movable runway plate 22 can move up and down around a horizontal axis 22a. A runway 21a constituting a part of the first runway 21 is formed on the movable runway plate 22. In addition, the end of the first runway plate 41 is coupled to the first block 20 in a manner that allows it to move up and down around the axis 22a. Moreover, when the flexion-extension connecting body 40 is extended, the runway 21a and the third runway 44 are connected. That is, when the flexion-extension connecting body 40 is extended, the first runway 21 and the third runway 44 are connected. In addition, the first runway plate 41 may not be coupled to the first block 20 with the same axis 22a as the movable runway plate 22. That is, the first runway plate 41 may be axially supported on the first block 20 at a position different from that of the movable runway plate 22. Alternatively, the first track plate 41 may be pivotally supported by the movable track plate 22 constituting a portion of the first block 20. What is important is that when the flexion-extension coupling 40 is extended, the track 21a and the third track 44 are connected.

[0019] A second racetrack 31 is formed in the second block 30 (see Figure 4 ). When the first block 20 and the second block 30 are in an adjacent state, the second runway 31 is connected to the runway 21a. That is, when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are in an adjacent state, the second runway 31 is connected to the first runway 21. In addition, as Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, an engaging groove 32 is formed on the second block 30. The shaft 46 attached to the end of the above-mentioned runway plate 42 is engaged with the engaging groove 32. In addition, a receiving portion (space) 33 for receiving the runway plate 42 is formed on the second block 30. Here, the engaging groove 32 is used to guide the flexion and extension of the flexion-extension connecting body 40, and extends from the surface of the second block 30 to the depth of the receiving portion 33. And, in the receiving portion 33, when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are in an adjacent state, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the runway plate 42 is received in a substantially horizontal state. In addition, when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are in a separated state, the runway plate 42 is pulled out from the receiving portion 33, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the flexion-extension coupling 40 is extended, and the surface of the track portion 44a of the track plate 41 and the surface of the track portion 44b of the track plate 42 are substantially flush with each other. At this time, the track plate 42 is embedded in the outer side of the track plate 41, and the claws 42b of the walls 42a on both sides of the track plate 42 are engaged with the upper edges of the walls 41a on both sides of the track plate 41 (see FIG. Figure 6 ). In addition, the movable runway plate 22 is embedded in the inner side of the runway plate 41, and the protrusion (not shown) below the movable runway plate 22 is aligned with the hole 41b (see Figure 5 ) mosaic.

[0020] Escalator 11 Figure 10 is a perspective view of the escalator 11. Figure 11 It is a side view of the winding mechanism which winds up the conveyor belt 62. The escalator 11 has a winding mechanism for winding a toothed conveyor belt 62 between a conveyor pulley 60 and a toothed conveyor pulley 61 provided at a predetermined interval. Figure 11 In the figure, reference numeral 63 denotes a tension roller, and reference numeral 64 denotes a support plate that supports the back side of the conveyor belt 62. Conveyor belt 62 has projections 62a formed at predetermined intervals on its surface for contact with the lower surface of the chassis of the toy vehicle 50. Furthermore, projections 62b are formed at predetermined intervals on its surface for placing the toy vehicle 50 on the escalator 11 or for contact with the rear surface of the vehicle body to propel the toy vehicle 50 upward. The height of projections 62b is greater than that of projections 62a. The conveyor belt 62 is exposed at the center of a conveying surface 65 provided on the escalator 11. Furthermore, conveying surface 65 serves as the surface against which the wheels of the toy vehicle 50 contact during transport.

[0021] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the driving device 66 of the escalator 11, Figure 13 This is a rear perspective view of the drive unit 66. The drive unit 66 drives the toothed conveyor pulley 61, and can be switched between manual and electric operation by operating the slide knob 67. When the slide knob 67 is turned left, the power switch SW is immediately turned on, and the power of the motor 68 is transmitted to the toothed conveyor pulley 61 via gears 68a-68e, the dual gear 68f, and the gear 68g, thereby operating the conveyor belt 62. On the other hand, when the slide knob 67 is turned right, the power switch SW is turned off, and the operation of the slide knob 67 causes the rotating plate 67a to move about the shaft 67b, raising the locking member 67c. As a result, the rotating body 69a and the gear 68g move toward the surface due to the force of a spring (not shown), disengaging the dual gear 68f from the gear 68g. In this state, rotating the operating dial 69 transmits its rotational power to the toothed conveyor pulley 61, thereby operating the conveyor belt 62.

[0022] In addition, although the escalator 11 is used here to convey the vehicle toy 50 upward, a belt conveyor may also be used. In other words, any belt conveyor device will suffice.

[0023] <<Stationary Structure of Vehicle Toy 50>> Figure 14 1 is a front view for explaining the stationary structure of the vehicle toy 50. Figure 15This is a view of the escalator 11 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface 65. The track toy 10 of this embodiment has a structure that allows the vehicle toy 50 to be stationary at the entrance of the escalator 11. The vehicle toy 50 that is traveling over reaches the escalator 11. In addition, when the inclination of the escalator 11 relative to the floor (part of the runway) 11a of the escalator 11 is small, the vehicle toy 50 goes up the escalator 11 due to inertia. In this case, due to the inertia of the vehicle toy 50 when it goes up to the conveyor belt 62, the entry angle of the vehicle toy 50, the inclination (center of gravity) of the vehicle toy 50, and the movement of the conveyor belt 62, the vehicle toy 50 may sometimes roll over or turn upside down. In particular, if there is a cofferdam near the entrance of the escalator 11, the vehicle toy 50 is likely to tilt and is therefore likely to roll over or turn over. Therefore, to stop the toy vehicle 50 in front of the escalator 11, the floor 11a of the escalator 11 is tilted more than the second runway 31 so that the toy vehicle 50 can collide head-on with the escalator 11. This prevents the toy vehicle 50 from climbing onto the escalator 11 as much as possible due to the head-on collision. As a result, any problems associated with the toy vehicle 50 climbing onto the escalator 11 can be minimized. Furthermore, the toy vehicle 50 can be made to wait on the floor 11a. On the other hand, when the toy vehicle 50 collides head-on with the escalator 11 , the toy vehicle 50 is likely to rebound on the escalator 11 . Therefore, in order to prevent rebound, impact absorbing components 65a are provided on the plastic or metal conveying surfaces 65 on both sides of the conveyor belt 62 of the escalator 11. As the impact absorbing component (an example of an energy absorber) 65a, rubber can be used, for example. The height of the impact absorbing component 65a protruding from the conveying surface 65 is preferably higher than the height of the above-mentioned convex portion 62a, and further, needs to be lower than the height of the protrusion 62b. Thus, since the speed energy of the entering vehicle toy 50 is lost, rebound can be prevented, and adverse conditions such as rollover caused by the collision of the vehicle toy 50 can also be eliminated. Providing the impact absorbing component (an example of an energy absorber) 65a is also effective when the inclination of the escalator 11 is small. This is because as the speed decreases, the possibility of the vehicle toy 50 climbing up the escalator 11 disappears. In addition, instead of or in addition to the impact absorbing member 65a, an energy absorber that comes into sliding contact with the side surface of the vehicle toy 50 and absorbs velocity energy may be provided near the entrance of the escalator 11. In addition, it is preferable to set a wall on the side of the floor 11a. In this way, the lateral shaking of the vehicle toy 50 that enters or rebounds can be prevented. In this embodiment, the wall is formed by the frame of the escalator 11.

[0024] Effects of this embodiment In the present embodiment configured as described above, the track toy 10 can provide the following effects. First, the track toy 10 can be extended or retracted by separating the first block 20 and the second block 30 without disassembling the track toy 10 or attaching or detaching the track board. Second, since one end of the flexion-extension link 40 forms a rotational duality with the first block 20, and the other end forms a rotational duality and a sliding duality with the second block 30, the runway plate 42 is accommodated in the second block 30 when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are adjacent to each other. Therefore, even if there is a moving part on the surface of the second block 30, the block can be easily accommodated. Third, since the portion of the "floor" of the runway connected to the entrance of the escalator 11 is tilted so that the toy vehicle 50 will collide head-on with the escalator 11, it is possible to minimize the inertia of the toy vehicle 50 and prevent it from ascending the escalator 11. Fourth, since the impact absorbing member 65a is provided near the entrance of the escalator 11, it is possible to effectively prevent the toy vehicle 50 from bouncing back. Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 10 track toys 11Escalators 11a floor 12 Bridges 13 doors Runway 14a-14d switchboard 15 downhill 16 buttons 17 and 18 ramps 22 movable runway boards 22a shaft 32 snap-in slots Containment Sector 33 40 flexion-extension joint 41, 42 runway boards 43 axis 46 axes 60 conveyor pulley 61 toothed conveyor pulley 62 conveyor belt 62a convex part 62b protrusion 65 conveying surface 65a Impact absorbing component 66 drive device 67 Slide knob 68a-68e gear 69 operating dial

Claims

1. A track toy comprising: a first block forming a first track, a second block forming a second track, and a connecting body forming a third track and detachably connecting the first block and the second block, characterized in that: As at least one of the connecting bodies, a flexion-extension connecting body is provided, in which the first track board and the second track board are connected, and the flexion-extension connecting body can be flexed and extended along a vertical plane. One end of the flexion-extension link is connected to the first block in a rotational duality manner, and the other end is connected to the second block in a sliding duality and rotational duality manner. When the first block and the second block are in an adjacent state, the first runway board moves downward relative to the first block, and at least a portion of the second runway board is accommodated in the second block, thereby directly connecting the first runway and the second runway; when the first block and the second block are in a separated state, the second runway board pulled out of the accommodation portion is pulled out of the second block, and the flexion-extension connection body is extended, thereby connecting the first runway and the second runway via the third runway.

2. The track toy according to claim 1, characterized in that The first block has a movable runway plate, which is formed with a runway portion constituting a part of the first runway and is capable of moving up and down around a horizontal axis. When the first block and the second block are in an adjacent state, the runway portion of the movable runway plate is erected on the second runway. When the first block and the second block are in a separated state, the movable runway plate overlaps a part of the flexion-extension connection body.

3. The track toy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An operating portion is provided on the surface side of the second block, and the housing portion is provided below the operating portion.

4. The track toy according to claim 3, characterized in that The operating unit is a belt conveyor device that transports the traveling body from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope.

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