Classic marble run with a combination of magnetic and plug-in connections

Abstract

Marble run (1) which has a support structure with 2 vertical supports (2) and a plurality of guide rails (3) which are designed to be detachably connected to both supports (2), wherein the connections of the guide rails (3) to the supports (2) are formed by a combination of plug connection and magnetic connection.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of toys, in particular to a marble run or ball track. Technical background

[0002] Marble runs or ball tracks have been known for many hundreds of years and are still a popular toy for both children and their parents.

[0003] Over time, many different variations of marble runs have emerged. They range from classic wooden track marble runs, to modular tower tracks, to technical gravity-based play systems with catapults, loops, and trampolines.

[0004] The present invention relates to classic marble runs, in particular marble runs which are constructed from wooden rails, the running rails, which are arranged one above the other in a zigzag pattern in a frame.

[0005] During the game, the balls roll down the slanted wooden rails and at the end of each rail fall onto the rail below, which then rolls down again, so that the marbles, like the arrangement of the rails, move downwards in a zigzag pattern.

[0006] At the end of the last track, there is usually a stop, a bell, or something similar. As soon as the marbles or balls reach the stop, the child places them back into the upper track, and the process begins again. A large number of marbles or balls can also be used simultaneously.

[0007] These classic marble runs remain so popular, particularly because in an age of constant sensory overload, they focus a child's attention on what's essential, thus providing a welcome sense of calm. Choosing wood as the preferred building material further enhances this effect.

[0008] Marble runs are also very good for a child's development. They promote hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. They develop an understanding of space and time, as well as gravity as a driving force.

[0009] Even though the present invention relates to the classic marble run, there is still room for improvement: The classic marble run is bulky, often gets in the way, and is difficult to transport. Its size also incurs additional distribution costs, which is undesirable for environmental reasons.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a classic marble run that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved with a marble run according to claim 1.

[0011] The invention therefore relates to a marble run comprising a frame with two vertical uprights and a plurality (more than three) of guide rails, each of which is detachably connectable to both uprights. According to the invention, the connections between the guide rails and the uprights are achieved through a combination of plug-in and magnetic connections.

[0012] According to one design, the guide rails each have two recesses that correspond to a recess in each stand, whereby the recesses of the guide rails engage in the recesses of the stands by sliding in a horizontal plane, creating a plug connection.

[0013] The recesses corresponding to each running rail are arranged at different heights in the stands, ensuring that the running rails are aligned diagonally downwards after the plug connection has been made.

[0014] Particularly preferably, magnets are located within the recesses and especially on the vertically oriented surfaces of the recesses in the assembled state – e.g., on the bottom of the recesses. The polarity of the magnets is configured such that the magnets arranged in the recesses of the guide rails and the magnets arranged in the recesses of the stands attract each other.

[0015] This ensures that the horizontal connectors do not accidentally come loose and that the marble run can be operated safely.

[0016] Particularly preferred are symbols arranged on or in the recesses of the stands and on or in the recesses of the running rails, which enable correct assembly of the marble run. The correct connection is preferably indicated by identical or corresponding symbols.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the stand has a horizontal base. Particularly preferred is the base and the stand also being connectable to the stand via a check connection in combination with a magnetic connection. This allows the marble run to be disassembled in an even more space-saving manner.

[0018] The magnets are preferably designed as ring or disc magnets. It has been found that ring magnets are best suited for screwing into the recesses of the guide rails or the stands.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. These drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 the ball track in a composite state and Fig. 2 the individual parts of the marble run.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a classic marble run. This marble run has two stands and a multitude, here 8, of running rails.

[0022] Holes may be provided at the ends of the guide rails 3 (not shown here) through which a ball can fall so that it reaches the guide rail 3 below.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 2 illustrates the invention: Recesses 4 are provided in the uprights 2 and the guide rails 3, enabling a plug-in connection through horizontal displacement between the guide rail 3 and the uprights 2. Preferably, magnets 5 are mounted on the bottom of the recesses 4, polarized such that the magnets 5 in the recesses 4 of the guide rails 3 attract the magnets 5 in the recesses 4 of the uprights 2. The combination of plug-in connection and magnetic connection results in a particularly secure yet simple fastening.

[0024] To enable the correct positioning of the guide rails 3 relative to the uprights 2, symbols 6 are arranged on the guide rails 3 and the uprights 2 in or near the recesses 4. Matching symbols 6 indicate which recess 4 of an upright 2 corresponds to which recess 4 of a guide rail 3.

[0025] To prevent the marble run from tipping over sideways, floor supports 7 are provided, which can also be connected to the stands via a combination of plug and magnetic connection.

Claims

[1] Ball track (1) which has a framework with two vertical uprights (2) and a plurality of guide rails (3) which are designed to be detachably connectable to each of the two uprights (2), wherein the connections of the guide rails (3) to the uprights (2) are formed by a combination of plug connection and magnetic connection. [2] Ball track (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the guide rails (3) each have two recesses (4) which correspond to a recess (4) in each of the uprights (2), whereby the recesses (4) of the guide rails (3) engage in the recesses (4) of the uprights (2) by displacement in a horizontal plane, so that a plug-in connection is created. [3] Ball track (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the two recesses (4) in the uprights (2), each corresponding to a guide rail (3), are arranged at a different height, so that after the plug-in connection has been made, an oblique downward alignment of the guide rails (3) is ensured. [4] Ball track (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that magnets (5) are located within the recesses and particularly on the bottom surfaces of the recesses (4). [5] Ball track (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the polarity of the magnets (5) is designed such that the magnets (5) arranged in the recesses (4) of the guide rails (3) and the magnets (5) arranged in the recesses (4) of the stands (2) attract each other. [6] Ball track (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat symbols are arranged on or in the recesses (4) of the stands (2) and on or in the recesses (4) of the guide rails (3) which enable the ball track (1) to be assembled correctly. [7] Ball track (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the uprights (2) have a horizontal floor support (7). [8] Ball track (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the floor support (7) and the stand (2) can also be connected to the stand (2) via a plug connection in combination with a magnetic connection.

Images