Connecting tool

Abstract

The utility model provides a connecting tool which is installed between a first track plate provided with a first connecting part and provided with tracks corresponding to left and right wheels of a vehicle toy and a second track plate provided with a second connecting part capable of being connected with the first connecting part and provided with tracks corresponding to the left and right wheels. The three connecting tracks are used for connecting the first track plate with the second track plate, and the three connecting tracks are used for communicating the track of the first track plate with the track of the second track plate and are arranged side by side in the width direction according to the track spacing of the first track plate and the second track plate; the two third connecting parts can be selectively connected with the first connecting parts, and the two fourth connecting parts can be selectively connected with the second connecting parts. The utility model provides the connecting tool which can be arranged between two track plates capable of running with two wheels and can enable the vehicle toy to be switched between the running with two wheels and the stunt running in the running process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a connector for connecting track plates of vehicle toys. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, the tracks of toy vehicles are constructed by connecting multiple track plates. On each track plate, grooves are formed corresponding to the left and right wheels of the toy vehicle, and protrusions or recesses are formed at the ends along its length for connecting with other track plates.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7411053 (JP7411053B2)

[0004] However, when connected to the track slab, it can basically only operate on two wheels. Alternatively, one wheel can be detached from the track for single-wheel operation, but in this case, unless human intervention occurs during operation, it can only continue to operate on a single wheel.

[0005] This utility model was made in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a connector that can be installed between two track plates capable of two-wheeled travel, so that the toy vehicle can perform two-wheeled travel and stunt driving without human intervention during the travel process. Utility Model Content

[0006] The first type of connector provided by this utility model is installed between a first track plate having a first connecting part and having tracks corresponding to the left and right wheels of a toy vehicle, and a second track plate having a second connecting part that can be connected to the first connecting part and having tracks corresponding to the left and right wheels, for connecting the first track plate and the second track plate to each other. The three connecting tracks for connecting the tracks of the first track plate and the tracks of the second track plate are arranged side by side in the width direction with the track spacing of the first track plate and the second track plate, and two third connecting parts that can be selectively connected to the first connecting part and two fourth connecting parts that can be selectively connected to the second connecting part are provided.

[0007] The second type of connector provided by this utility model is based on the first type of connector. By using two third connecting parts and two fourth connecting parts, the first track plate and the second track plate can present the following two states: a state in which two tracks are interconnected through two connecting tracks, and a state in which only one track is interconnected through one connecting track.

[0008] The third type of connector provided by this utility model is based on the second type of connector, wherein the first connecting part and the fourth connecting part are concave parts, and the second connecting part and the third connecting part are convex parts.

[0009] The fourth type of connector provided by this utility model is based on the third type of connector, wherein the first connecting part and the fourth connecting part are dovetail-shaped recesses, and the second connecting part and the third connecting part are dovetail-shaped protrusions.

[0010] The fifth type of connector provided by this utility model is based on the third type of connector. By erecting the connector, adjacent track plates can be connected in a staggered manner.

[0011] The sixth connector provided by this utility model is based on the fifth connector. The first connecting part is a dovetail-shaped recess, and the third connecting part is a protrusion that can fit into the dovetail-shaped recess. The upper edge is formed into a dovetail shape with the same shape as the first connecting part, and the lower edge is formed into a U-shape. The opposite lower edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the lower edges is the same as the minimum width of the dovetail-shaped recess. The opposite surface of the protrusion is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of the maximum width of the upper edge and the point opposite to it as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

[0012] The seventh connector provided by this utility model is based on the sixth connector. The second connecting part is a dovetail-shaped protrusion, and the fourth connecting part is a recess that can fit into the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The lower edge is formed into a dovetail shape with the same shape as the second connecting part, and the upper edge is formed into a U-shape. The opposite upper edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the upper edges is the same as the maximum width of the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The opposite surface of the recess is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of minimum width of the lower edge and the point opposite to it as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

[0013] The eighth connector provided by this utility model is based on the fifth connector. The first connecting part is a dovetail-shaped recess, and the third connecting part is a protrusion that can fit into the dovetail-shaped recess. The lower edge is formed into a dovetail shape with the same shape as the first connecting part, and the upper edge is formed into a U-shape. The opposite upper edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the upper edges is the same as the minimum width of the dovetail-shaped recess. The opposite surface of the protrusion is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of the maximum width of the lower edge and the point opposite to it as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

[0014] The ninth connector provided by this utility model is based on the eighth connector. The second connecting part is a dovetail-shaped protrusion, and the fourth connecting part is a recess that can fit into the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The upper edge is formed into a dovetail shape with the same shape as the second connecting part, and the lower edge is formed into a U-shape. The opposite lower edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the lower edges is the same as the maximum width of the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The opposite surface of the recess is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of minimum width of the upper edge and its diagonal point as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

[0015] According to this invention, the connection method of two track plates can be easily changed, and the toy vehicle can perform two-wheeled driving and stunt driving without human intervention during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the toy vehicle, track board, and connector involved in the implementation method.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the connector.

[0018] Figure 3A This is a top view of the connector.

[0019] Figure 3B This is a bottom view of the connector.

[0020] Figure 4A This is the front view of the connector.

[0021] Figure 4B This is the rear view of the connector.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the track slabs connected in series using connectors.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the track slabs being connected in a staggered manner using connectors.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a 3D diagram showing the staggered connection of the track slabs using connectors.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a top view of two wheels traveling on a track slab connected in series.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a top view of a single wheel traveling on a misaligned track.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a 3D view of a platform about to be used for stair climbing on a misaligned track. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the vehicle toy 10, track plates 20A and 20B, and connector 30.

[0029] Toy vehicle 10 is a self-propelled railway vehicle toy. Straight track slabs 20A and curved track slabs 20B are connected as needed to form the track on which toy vehicle 10 travels.

[0030] On the upper surface of the track plate 20 (referred to as 20A and 20B collectively as 20A and 20B), tracks 21L and 21R are formed on both sides in the width direction, into which the left and right wheels of the vehicle toy 10 can be inserted. A connector 30 is installed between adjacent track plates 20, 20, which can change the connection method between the track plates 20, 20. The connection method in this case is as follows: Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown.

[0031] By changing this connection method, the vehicle toy 10 can be... Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 Drive as shown.

[0032] The following is a detailed explanation of its contents.

[0033] (Toy Vehicle 10)

[0034] As described above, the vehicle toy 10 is a self-propelled railway vehicle toy. The vehicle toy 10 is equipped with a DC motor (not shown) powered by dry cell batteries, and is configured to move by the motor. The vehicle toy 10 can also be configured to move by other power sources such as a spring.

[0035] The toy vehicle 10 has wheels 11L and 11R on its left and right sides. The outer circumference of the driving wheel of wheels 11L and 11R is formed with knurled flat patterns.

[0036] (Track 20)

[0037] The track plate 20 has a width that allows the vehicle toy 10 to travel on, and grooved tracks 21L and 21R are formed at positions corresponding to the wheels 11L and 11R of the vehicle toy 10. A knurled pattern is formed on the bottom surface of the groove.

[0038] A dovetail-shaped protrusion (connecting part) 22 is formed at one end of the track plate 20.

[0039] Additionally, a dovetail-shaped recess (connecting portion) 23 is formed at the other end of the track plate 20. The aforementioned protrusion 22 can be inserted into the recess 23.

[0040] (Connector 30)

[0041] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of connector 30. Figure 3A This is a top view of connector 30. Figure 3B This is a bottom view of connector 30. Figure 4A This is the front view of connector 30. Figure 4B This is the rear view of connector 30.

[0042] The thickness of the connector 30 is the same as that of the track plate 20. The connector 30 is installed between adjacent track plates 20 to connect them to each other. The connector 30 is longer in the width direction and shorter in the direction perpendicular to it (the direction of travel of the toy vehicle 10). Its length in the width direction is exactly twice the width of the track plate 20, less than one track width.

[0043] Along the length of the connector 30, three connecting tracks 31L, 31S, and 31R are formed at equal intervals. The intervals between connecting tracks 31L and 31S, and between connecting tracks 31S and 31R, are equal to the track intervals of the track plate 20. These connecting tracks 31L, 31S, and 31R, like the tracks 21L and 21R of the track plate 20, are formed by grooves. A knurled pattern is formed on the bottom surface of the grooves.

[0044] At one end of the connector 30 in the short side direction, a protrusion (connecting part) 32L is formed between the connecting tracks 31L and 31S, and a protrusion (connecting part) 32R is formed between the connecting tracks 31S and 31R. The two protrusions 32L and 32R can selectively engage (connect) with the recesses 23 of the track plate 20.

[0045] Additionally, at the other end of the connector 30 in the short side direction, a recess (connecting portion) 33L is formed between the connecting tracks 31L and 31S, and a recess (connecting portion) 33R is formed between the connecting tracks 31S and 31R. The two recesses 33L and 33R can selectively engage (connect) with the protrusions 22 of the track plate 20.

[0046] This connector 30 can not only connect adjacent track plates 20, 20 on a plane, but also connect them in a staggered manner. Therefore, the shapes of the protrusions 32L, 32R and the recesses 33L, 33R of the connector 30 are different from the shapes of the protrusions 22 and the recesses 23 of the track plate 20.

[0047] The convex portions 32L and 32R have the same shape. Similarly, the concave portions 33L and 33R also have the same shape. Therefore, the convex portions 32L and 33L will be described, while the descriptions of the convex portions 32R and 33R will be omitted.

[0048] The shape of the upper edge and the lower edge of the protrusion 32L are different from each other. As shown in Figure 3, the upper edge of the protrusion 32L is formed into a dovetail shape, which is the same as the shape of the protrusion 22. In addition, the lower edge of the protrusion 32L has right angles at the corners, and the opposite lower edges are parallel. The distance between the lower edges is the same as the minimum width of the protrusion 22, forming a U-shaped edge.

[0049] In addition, the opposite face of the protrusion 32L is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of maximum width of the upper edge (the point of the free end of the upper edge) and the point of its diagonal (the point of the fixed end of the lower edge) as the edge line R1, and the two sides of the upper and lower adjacent edge line R1 as the bottom edge.

[0050] On the other hand, the shape of the recess 33L also differs from each other at its upper and lower edges. The upper edge of the recess 33L has right angles at its corners, while the opposite lower edge is parallel. The distance between the lower edges is the same as the maximum width of the aforementioned protrusion 22, forming a U-shaped edge. In addition, the lower edge of the recess 33L is formed in a dovetail shape, the same as the shape of the aforementioned recess 23.

[0051] In addition, the opposite surface of the recess 33L is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of minimum width of the lower edge (the point of the free end of the lower edge) and the point of its opposite corner (the point of the fixed end of the upper edge) as the edge line R2, and the two sides of the edge line R2 that are adjacent to each other as the bottom edge.

[0052] (Connection method)

[0053] The connector 30 configured in this way allows adjacent track slabs 20 to be connected in three ways.

[0054] A. Series connection

[0055] Connect adjacent track plates 20, 20 to connector 30 so that the tracks 21L, 21L of adjacent track plates 20, 20 are connected to each other as well as the tracks 21R, 21R.

[0056] For example, such as Figure 5As shown, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 is embedded into the protrusion 32R of the connector 30, while the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 is embedded into the recess 33R of the connector 30. At this time, the ridge line R1 of the protrusion 32R of the connector 30 contacts the opposite surface of the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20, and the lower edge and ridge line R2 of the recess 33R of the connector 30 contact the opposite surface of the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20. Furthermore, the track 21L of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21L of the downstream track plate 20 through the connecting track 31S of the connector 30, and the track 21R of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21R of the downstream track plate 20 through the connecting track 31R of the connector 30. Alternatively, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 is embedded into the protrusion 32L of the connector 30, while the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 is embedded into the recess 33L of the connector 30. In this case, the upper edge and ridge line R1 of the protrusion 32L of the connector 30 contact the opposite surface of the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20, and the lower edge and ridge line R2 of the recess 33L of the connector 30 contact the opposite surface of the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20. Furthermore, the track 21L of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21L of the downstream track plate 20 via the connecting track 31L of the connector 30, and the track 21R of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21R of the downstream track plate 20 via the connecting track 31S of the connector 30.

[0057] B. Misaligned connection

[0058] The adjacent track slabs 20 are connected by offsetting one track width in the width direction.

[0059] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 is inserted into the protrusion 32R of the connector 30, while the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 is inserted into the recess 33L of the connector 30. At this time, the upper edge and ridge line R1 of the protrusion 32R of the connector 30 are in contact with the opposite surface of the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20, and the lower edge and ridge line R2 of the recess 33L of the connector 30 are in contact with the opposite surface of the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20. Furthermore, only the track 21L of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21R of the downstream track plate 20 through the connecting track 31S.

[0060] Alternatively, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 is embedded into the protrusion 32L of the connector 30, while the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 is embedded into the recess 33R of the connector 30. In this case, the upper edge and ridge R1 of the protrusion 32L of the connector 30 contact the opposite surface of the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20, and the lower edge and ridge R2 of the recess 33R of the connector 30 contact the opposite surface of the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20. Furthermore, only the track 21R of the upstream track plate 20 is connected to the track 21L of the downstream track plate 20 via the connecting track 31S.

[0061] C. Misaligned connection

[0062] Erect the connector 30 and connect the adjacent track plates 20 and 20 in a staggered manner through the connector 30.

[0063] In this case, for example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 is embedded in the protrusion 32R of the connector 30, and the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 is embedded in the recess 33R of the connector 30. Alternatively, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the recess 33L of the connector 30, and the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the recess 33L of the connector 30. Or, the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the protrusion 32R of the connector 30, and the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the recess 33L of the connector 30, or the recess 23 of the upstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the protrusion 32L of the connector 30, and the protrusion 22 of the downstream track plate 20 can be embedded in the recess 33R of the connector 30.

[0064] (Driving method)

[0065] Through the above connection method, the toy vehicle 10 can be made to travel in the following ways.

[0066] A. Two-wheeled driving

[0067] In the case of series connection, the vehicle toy 10 travels on two wheels on the left and right tracks of the connected adjacent track plates 20. Figure 8 An example of this situation is shown in the image.

[0068] B. Single-wheeled travel

[0069] In the case of misaligned connections, for example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the toy vehicle 10, which travels on a single wheel on one track plate 20, will travel on two wheels on the upper track of the other track plate 20.

[0070] Additionally, although not shown, depending on the connection method and the placement of the vehicle toy 10, the vehicle toy 10, which travels on two wheels on one track plate 20, can also travel on a single wheel on the other track plate 20.

[0071] C. Stepping

[0072] In the case of misaligned connections, such as Figure 10 As shown, the toy vehicle 10 traveling on one track 20 will fall due to the step difference, then land on the other track 20 and continue traveling.

[0073] According to the connector 30 involved in the embodiment, the connection method of adjacent track plates 20 can be easily changed, and the driving mode of the toy vehicle 10 can be changed according to the connection method. Specifically, two-wheel driving can be switched to single-wheel driving, or vice versa. In addition, the toy vehicle 10 that is currently driving on two wheels can be made to fall due to the step difference. That is to say, stunt driving can be added to the two-wheel driving mode.

[0074] (Modified Example)

[0075] In the above embodiments, the connection 30 is mainly used for connecting straight track slabs 20A, but it can also be used for connecting curved track slabs 20B.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vehicle toy 10 was described using a railway vehicle toy as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to car toys and other vehicle toys that use track slabs with formed tracks.

[0077] Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe the connection between track plates 20 via dovetail-shaped protrusions and recesses, this invention can also be applied to the case where track plates 20 are connected via right-angled protrusions and recesses. In this case, simply setting the angles of the protrusions and recesses of the connector 30 to right angles is sufficient. Additionally, this invention can also be applied to the case where track plates are connected by magnetic force. In this case, simply providing a magnet or magnetic material on the connector 30 is sufficient.

[0078] Figure Labels

[0079] 10 Toy Vehicles

[0080] 11L and 11R wheels

[0081] 20 track slabs

[0082] 20A and 20B track slabs

[0083] 22. Protrusion (connecting part)

[0084] 23 Recessed part (connection part)

[0085] 30 Connectors

[0086] 31L, 31S, 31R orbitals

[0087] 32L, 32R Protrusions (Connecting Parts)

[0088] 33L, 33R Recess (Connecting Part)

[0089] R1, R2 edges

Claims

1. A connector, mounted between a first track plate having a first connecting portion and having tracks corresponding to the left and right wheels of a toy vehicle, and a second track plate having a second connecting portion connectable to the first connecting portion and having tracks corresponding to the left and right wheels, for connecting the first track plate and the second track plate to each other, wherein, Three connecting tracks for connecting the track of the first track plate and the track of the second track plate are arranged side by side in the width direction with the track spacing of the first track plate and the second track plate, and are provided with two third connecting parts that can be selectively connected to the first connecting part, and two fourth connecting parts that can be selectively connected to the second connecting part.

2. The connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, By using each of the two third connecting parts and the fourth connecting part, the first track plate and the second track plate can present the following two states: each of the two tracks is interconnected by the two connecting tracks, and each of the tracks is interconnected by only one connecting track.

3. The connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are recessed portions, while the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are convex portions.

4. The connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are dovetail-shaped recesses, and the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are dovetail-shaped protrusions.

5. The connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, By erecting the connector, the two track plates can be connected in a staggered manner.

6. The connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first connecting portion is a dovetail-shaped recess. The third connecting part is: a convex part that can fit into the dovetail-shaped concave part, The upper edge is shaped like a dovetail, similar to the shape of the first connecting part, and the lower edge is shaped like a ∪. The opposing lower edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the lower edges is the same as the minimum width portion of the dovetail-shaped recess. The opposite surface of the convex part is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of maximum width of the upper edge and the point of its diagonal as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

7. The connector as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second connecting part is a dovetail-shaped protrusion. The fourth connecting part is: a concave portion that can fit into the dovetail-shaped convex portion, The lower edge is shaped like a dovetail, similar to the shape of the second connecting part, and the upper edge is shaped like a ∪. The opposing upper edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the upper edges is the same as the maximum width of the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The opposite surface of the concave portion is a mountain-shaped slope with a ridge line connecting the point of minimum width of the lower edge and the point of its opposite corner, and with the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

8. The connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first connecting portion is a dovetail-shaped recess. The third connecting part is: a convex part that can fit into the dovetail-shaped concave part, The lower edge is shaped like a dovetail, similar to the shape of the first connecting part, and the upper edge is shaped like a U. The opposing upper edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the upper edges is the same as the minimum width portion of the dovetail-shaped recess. The opposite surface of the protrusion is a mountain-shaped slope with the straight line connecting the point of maximum width of the lower edge and the point of its diagonal as the ridge line, and the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

9. The connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second connecting part is a dovetail-shaped protrusion. The fourth connecting part is: a concave portion that can fit into the dovetail-shaped convex portion, The upper edge is shaped like a dovetail, similar to the shape of the second connecting part, and the lower edge is shaped like a U. The opposing lower edges are parallel to each other, and the width between the lower edges is the same as the maximum width of the dovetail-shaped protrusion. The opposite surface of the concave portion is a mountain-shaped slope with a ridge line connecting the point of minimum width of the upper edge and the point of its opposite corner, and with the two adjacent sides above and below the ridge line as the base.

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