Track toy

Abstract

To provide a track toy capable of easily expanding and contracting a traveling path of the track toy.SOLUTION: A track toy comprises a first block having a first running path formed thereon, a second block having a second running path formed thereon, and a bending and extending connecting body having a third running path formed thereon that connects the first block and the second block in a manner that allows them to be attached and detached. The bending and stretching connecting body has one end connected to the first block to form a swivel joint and the other end connected to the second block to form a sliding joint and a swivel joint, and when the first block and the second block are adjacent to each other, the first runway plate is moved downward relative to the first block and at least a portion of the second runway plate is housed within the second block, directly connecting the first runway and the second runway. When the first block and the second block are separated, the second track plate that has come out of the storage section is pulled out from the second block, and the bending and extension connecting body is extended, thereby connecting the first track and the second track via the third track.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to orbital toys. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a track toy has been known that includes a plurality of types of track plates on which tracks are formed, and allows a player to create any track by appropriately connecting the track plates (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3091249 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With this track toy, for example, if you wanted to lengthen the track midway, you had to disconnect the adjacent track boards at a predetermined location and connect a new track board in between, etc. Also, if you wanted to shorten the track for some reason, you had to remove the track piece for one day and connect the remaining track pieces together. The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a track toy whose running path can be easily extended or shortened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The first method is A track toy comprising a first block having a first track formed thereon, a second block having a second track formed thereon, and a connecting body having a third track formed thereon and connecting the first block and the second block in a detachable manner, At least one of the connecting bodies includes a bending / extending connecting body in which a first running board and a second running board are connected so as to be bendable and extendable along a vertical plane, The bending and stretching connecting body is One end is connected to the first block to form a swivel joint, and the other end is connected to the second block to form a sliding joint and a swivel joint, When the first block and the second block are adjacent to each other, the first runway plate is moved downward relative to the first block, and the second runway plate is housed in the second block, so that the first runway and the second runway are directly connected; When the first block and the second block are in a separated state, the second track plate that has come out of the storage portion is pulled out from the second block, and the bending and extension connecting body is extended, thereby connecting the first track and the second track via the third track. It is a track toy characterized by the following. Here, the terms "first block" and "second block" refer to blocks as disjunctive units. A block may consist of one part or multiple parts.

[0006] The second means is the first means, The first block has a movable track plate formed thereon and movable up and down about a horizontal axis, When the first block and the second block are adjacent to each other, the track portion of the movable track plate is bridged across the second track, When the first block and the second block are in a spaced-apart state, the movable runway plate is superimposed on the first runway plate. It is characterized by:

[0007] The third means is the first or second means, wherein an operating section is provided on the surface side of the second block, and the storage section is provided below the operating section. It is characterized by:

[0008] A fourth means is the third means, characterized in that the operating unit is a belt conveying device that conveys the traveling body from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the first block and the second block are connected by a flexible connecting member that allows them to be easily attached and detached, so that the running path can be extended simply by separating the first block and the second block, and the running path can be shortened simply by placing the first block and the second block adjacent to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a contracted state of a track toy according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the track toy in a contracted state. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an extended state of a track toy according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the track toy in an extended state. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a bent state of the bending / extension connecting body. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the bending / extension connecting body in an extended state. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the track toy in a collapsed state with some parts removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the track toy in an extended state. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the housing structure for the second runway plate. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view of the belt winding mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the escalator drive unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the escalator drive unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a portion of the lower part of the escalator. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a view of the escalator from a direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0012] Overall structure FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a track toy 10 according to an embodiment in a contracted state, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. The track toy 10 is for running the toy vehicle 50, which does not have a power source. Note that the object (running body) to be run is not limited to the toy vehicle 50. According to this track toy 10, for example, when a toy vehicle 50 is placed under an escalator 11, the toy vehicle 50 is carried to the top of the escalator 11 by the escalator 11. Then, since the track leading to the top of the escalator 11 is a downward slope, the toy vehicle 50 descends the slope under its own weight, passes over a bridge 12 and a gate 13, and returns to the bottom of the escalator 11 via a U-shaped track (the leftmost track). This track is the basic course. After that, as long as the escalator 11 is operating, the toy vehicle 50 is carried to the top by the escalator 11 and travels around the same track.

[0013] This track toy 10 is provided with track switching plates 14a to 14d. The path switching plate 14a is a switching plate that is directly operated by hand, and when the direction of the path switching plate 14a is changed, the descending toy vehicle 50 is guided onto the spiral downward slope 15. The running path switching plate 14b switches the running path by pressing the button 16, and protrudes above the road surface only while the button 16 is being pressed. When the running path switching plate 14b is in the protruding state, the descending toy vehicle 50 is discharged down the slope 17. Furthermore, the path switching plate 14c is a switching plate that is directly operated by hand, and when the direction of the path switching plate 14c is changed, the descending toy vehicle 50 is discharged along the slope 18. Furthermore, the path switching plate 14 d is activated when the toy vehicle 50 hits the end of the escalator 11 , and guides the toy vehicle 50 downward.

[0014] Furthermore, this track toy 10 is provided with a parking block 90 in front of the escalator 11, and a parking lot is formed on the upper surface of the parking block 90. ​​In this parking lot, the toy vehicle 50 can be parked using a slope 91.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the track toy 10 according to the embodiment in an extended state, and FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof. The orbital toy 10 is configured to be reversibly extendable without disassembly or adding parts. This track toy 10 has two types of telescopic structures. The first is a drawer-type telescopic structure. That is, the track board 19a can be inserted and removed linearly relative to the adjacent parts 19b, etc., and the track toy 10 can be extended or retracted by inserting and removing the track board 19a linearly relative to the parts 19b, etc. The second is a structure in which the track toy 10 is extended or retracted by extending or bending the bending and extending connecting body 40. The first telescopic structure is publicly known. Therefore, the second telescopic structure will be described below.

[0016] 《Telescopic structure of orbital toy 10》 Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the bent state of the bending and extending connecting body 40, Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the extended state of the bending and extending connecting body 40, Fig. 7 is a front view showing the contracted state of the track toy 10 with some parts removed, Fig. 8 is a front view showing the extended state of the track toy 10. Also, Fig. 9 is a front view showing the storage structure of the second runway board 42. The second telescopic structure includes a first block 20 and a second block 30 (see Figure 4) that are adjacent when the track toy 10 is in a contracted state, and a bending / extending connector 40 that connects the first block 20 and the second block 30 in a manner that allows them to be attached and detached.

[0017] Of these, the bending / extension connecting body 40 is configured to be bendable and extendable by connecting two runway plates 41 and 42 with an axis 43. Runway plate 41 is formed with a runway portion 44a, and runway plate 42 is formed with a runway portion 44b. When the bending / extension connecting body 40 is extended, runway portion 44a and runway portion 44b are connected to form a third runway 44.

[0018] A first track 21 is formed in the first block 20 (see FIG. 4). One end of a movable track plate 22 is attached to the first block 20 so as to be movable up and down around a horizontal axis 22a. A track 21a that forms part of the first track 21 is formed on the movable track plate 22. Further, an end of the first track plate 41 is coupled to the first block 20 so as to be movable up and down around the shaft 22a. When the bending / extension connecting body 40 is extended, the track 21a is connected to the third track 44. In other words, when the bending / extension connecting body 40 is extended, the first track 21a is connected to the third track 44. The first runway plate 41 does not have to be connected to the first block 20 by the same shaft 22a as the movable runway plate 22. In other words, the first runway plate 41 may be pivotally supported on the first block 20 at a location different from that of the movable runway plate 22. The first runway plate 41 may also be pivotally supported on the movable runway plate 22 that forms part of the first block 20. The key point is that the runway 21a and the third runway 44 are connected when the bending / extension connecting body 40 is extended.

[0019] A second track 31 is formed in the second block 30 (see FIG. 4). The second track 31 is connected to the track 21a when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are adjacent to each other. In other words, when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are adjacent to each other, the second track 31 is connected to the first track 21a. 7 and 9, an engagement groove 32 is formed in the second block 30. A shaft 46 attached to the end of the track plate 42 engages with this engagement groove 32. The second block 30 is also formed with a storage section (space) 33 for storing the track plate 42. Here, the engagement groove 32 is for guiding the bending and stretching of the bending and stretching connecting body 40 , and extends from near the surface of the second block 30 to the depth of the accommodation portion 33 . When the first block 20 and the second block 30 are adjacent to each other, the track plate 42 is stored in a substantially horizontal state in the storage section 33, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. When the first block 20 and the second block 30 are spaced apart, the track plate 42 is pulled out of the storage section 33, and the bending and extension connecting body 40 is extended as shown in Figure 8, so that the road surface of the track portion 44a of the track plate 41 and the road surface of the track portion 44b of the track plate 42 are substantially flush with each other. At this time, the runway plate 42 fits onto the outside of the runway plate 41, and the claws 42b on the walls 42a on both sides of the runway plate 42 engage with the upper edges of the walls 41a on both sides of the runway plate 41 (see FIG. 6). Also, the movable runway plate 22 fits onto the inside of the runway plate 41, and the protrusions (not shown) on the underside of the movable runway plate 22 fit into the holes 41b in the runway portion 44a of the runway plate 41 (see FIG. 5).

[0020] "Escalator 11" FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the escalator 11, and FIG. 11 is a side view of the winding mechanism of the belt 62. The escalator 11 is equipped with a winding mechanism in which a toothed belt 62 is wound around a pulley 60 and a toothed pulley 61, which are provided at a predetermined interval. In Fig. 11, reference numeral 63 indicates a tension roller, and reference numeral 64 indicates a support plate that supports the back surface of the belt 62. Convex portions 62a that come into contact with the underside of the chassis of the toy vehicle 50 are formed at predetermined intervals on the surface of the belt 62. In addition, protrusions 62b that allow the toy vehicle 50 to be placed on the escalator 11 and that come into contact with the rear surface of the vehicle body to push the toy vehicle 50 up are formed at predetermined intervals on the surface of the belt 62. The height of the protrusions 62b is greater than the height of the convex portions 62a. The belt 62 is provided exposed at the center of a conveying surface 65 of the escalator 11. In addition, the conveying surface 65 is the surface that the wheels of the toy vehicle 50 come into contact with during conveyance.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive unit 66 of the escalator 11, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear side of the drive unit 66. As shown in FIG. The drive device 66 drives the toothed pulley 61 and can be switched between manual and electric operation by operating a slide knob 67. When the slide knob 67 is operated to the left, the power switch SW immediately thereafter is turned on, and the power of the motor 68 is transmitted to the toothed pulley 61 via gears 68a to 68e, double gear 68f and gear 68g, causing the belt 62 to operate. On the other hand, when the slide knob 67 is operated to the right, the power switch SW is turned off, and the operation of the slide knob 67 causes the rotating plate 67a to move around the shaft 67b, raising the locking member 67c. As a result, the rotating body 69a and the gear 68g move toward the front surface due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown), and the meshing between the double gear 68f and the gear 68g is released. When the operating dial 69 is rotated in this state, the rotational power is transmitted to the toothed pulley 61, and the belt 62 operates.

[0022] Although the escalator 11 is used here to transport the toy vehicle 50 upward, a belt conveyor may also be used. In other words, any belt conveying device will do.

[0023] <<Static structure of vehicle toy 50>> FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the stationary structure of the toy vehicle 50, and FIG. 15 is a view of the escalator 11 as seen from a direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface 65. As shown in FIG. The track toy 10 of the embodiment has a structure that allows the vehicle toy 50 to stop at the entrance of the escalator 11. The traveling toy vehicle 50 reaches the escalator 11. If the inclination of the escalator 11 relative to the floor (part of the track) 11a of the escalator 11 is small, the toy vehicle 50 will run up onto the escalator 11 due to inertia. In this case, the toy vehicle 50 may roll over or turn upside down depending on the momentum of the toy vehicle 50 riding on the belt 62, the approach angle of the toy vehicle 50, the inclination (center of gravity) of the toy vehicle 50, and the movement of the belt 62. In particular, if there is a bank near the entrance of the escalator 11, the toy vehicle 50 will tilt, making it more likely to roll over or turn upside down. Therefore, in order to stop the toy vehicle 50 in front of the escalator 11, the floor 11a of the escalator 11 is inclined more than the second track 31 so that the toy vehicle 50 will collide head-on with the escalator 11. This makes it possible to prevent the toy vehicle 50 from running up onto the escalator 11 as much as possible due to the toy vehicle 50 colliding head-on with the escalator 11. As a result, it is possible to eliminate as much as possible the inconvenience that would otherwise accompany the toy vehicle 50 running up onto the escalator 11. Furthermore, the toy vehicle 50 can be kept waiting 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 bounce off the escalator 11. To prevent this rebound, shock absorbing members 65a are provided on the plastic or metal conveying surface 65 on both sides of the belt 62 of the escalator 11. The shock absorbing members (an example of an energy absorber) 65a are made of, for example, rubber. The height of the shock absorbing members 65a from the conveying surface 65 is preferably higher than that of the convex portions 62a, but must be lower than that of the protrusions 62b. This causes the velocity energy of the approaching toy vehicle 50 to be lost, preventing rebound and eliminating problems such as tipping over that may occur due to a collision with the toy vehicle 50. Providing the shock absorbing members (an example of an energy absorber) 65a is also effective when the incline of the escalator 11 is small, because the reduced speed prevents the escalator from running over. Instead of or in addition to the shock absorbing member 65a, an energy absorber may be provided near the entrance of the escalator 11 in sliding contact with the side of the toy vehicle 50 to absorb velocity energy. It is also preferable to provide a wall on the side of the floor 11a, because this prevents the toy vehicle 50 from moving sideways when it enters or bounces off. In this embodiment, this wall is formed by the housing of the escalator 11.

[0024] Effect of the embodiment According to the embodiment of the track toy 10 configured in this way, the following effects can be obtained. First, the track toy 10 can be extended or retracted by simply connecting or disconnecting the first block 20 and the second block 30 without disassembling the track toy 10 or attaching or detaching the track boards. Secondly, one end of the bending and extending connecting body 40 forms a swivel joint with the first block 20, and the other end forms a swivel joint and a sliding joint with the second block 30, and when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are adjacent to each other, the track plate 42 is accommodated in the second block 30, so that the blocks can be easily accommodated even if there is an operating part on the surface of the second block 30. Thirdly, a part of the track (floor) connected to the entrance of the escalator 11 is inclined so that the toy vehicle 50 will collide head-on with the escalator 11, thereby preventing the toy vehicle 50 from climbing up the escalator 11 by inertia as much as possible. Fourth, since the shock absorbing member 65a is provided near the entrance of the escalator 11, the toy vehicle 50 can be effectively prevented from bouncing back. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 10 orbital toys 11 Escalator 11a floor 12 Bridge Gate 13 14a~14d Runway change board 15 Downhill 16 buttons 17, 18 Slope 22 Movable track board 22a axis 32 Engagement groove 33 Storage section 40 Flexion / extension connection body 41, 42 Track board 43 axes 46 axes 60 pulleys 61 Toothed pulley 62 Belt 62a Convex part 62b protrusion 65 Conveying surface 65a Impact absorbing member 66 Drive unit 67 Slide knob 68a~68e Gears 69 Operation Dial

Claims

1. A track toy comprising: a first block having a first running path formed thereon; a second block having a second running path formed thereon; and a connecting body having a third running path formed thereon, the connecting body connecting the first block and the second block in a detachable manner; At least one of the connecting bodies includes a bending / extending connecting body in which a first running board and a second running board are connected so as to be bendable and extendable along a vertical plane, The bending and stretching connecting body is One end is connected to the first block to form a swivel joint, and the other end is connected to the second block to form a sliding joint and a swivel joint, When the first block and the second block are adjacent to each other, the first runway plate is moved downward relative to the first block, and at least a portion of the second runway plate is housed in the second block, so that the first runway and the second runway are directly connected; When the first block and the second block are in a separated state, the second runway plate that has come out of the storage portion is pulled out from the second block, and the bending and extension connecting body is extended, thereby connecting the first runway and the second runway via the third runway. A track toy characterized by:

2. the first block has a movable track plate on which a track portion constituting a part of the first track is formed and which is movable up and down around a horizontal axis; When the first block and the second block are adjacent to each other, the track portion of the movable track plate is bridged across the second track, When the first block and the second block are in a spaced-apart state, the movable runway board is superimposed on a portion of the bending and extending connecting body.

2. The track toy according to claim 1.

3. 3. The track toy according to claim 1, wherein the second block has a moving portion on a front surface thereof, and the storage portion is provided below the moving portion.

4. 4. The track toy according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit is a belt conveyor that conveys the running body from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope.

Images